Chapter 4 Procedural Sedation and Analgesia David B. Burbulys Perspective The performance of painful diagnostic and therapeutic procedures is common in emergency care. Many of these are associated with significant…

Chapter 20 Headache Christopher S. Russi Perspective Epidemiology Up to 85% of the U.S. adult population reports significant headaches at least occasionally, and 15% does so on a regular basis….

Chapter 30 Gastrointestinal Bleeding Eric Goralnick and David A. Meguerdichian Perspective Epidemiology Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) accounts for more than 1 million hospitalizations annually in the United States, with significant morbidity,…

Chapter 21 Diplopia Kama Guluma Perspective Epidemiology Diplopia, or double vision, comes in two varieties—monocular and binocular—and constitutes approximately 1.4% of ophthalmologic emergencies. For patients who visit the emergency department…

Chapter 28 Jaundice Matthew A. Wheatley and Katherine L. Heilpern Perspective Epidemiology Jaundice is the manifestation of elevated serum bilirubin; thus an understanding of the metabolism of bilirubin is crucial…

Chapter 14 Cyanosis Madonna Fernández-Frackelton Perspective Epidemiology Cyanosis is a blue or purple appearance of the skin or mucous membranes. This clinical finding is caused by inadequately oxygenated blood perfusing…

Chapter 2 Mechanical Ventilation and Noninvasive Ventilatory Support Todd A. Seigel Perspective Invasive and noninvasive ventilation are essential components in the management of critically ill patients. Some patients require support…

Chapter 32 Constipation Jan M. Shoenberger Perspective The term constipation refers to a symptom or complex of symptoms and not a specific diagnosis. Patients and health care providers often define…

Chapter 17 Confusion J. Stephen Huff Perspective The term confusion connotes an alteration in higher cerebral functions, such as memory, attention, or awareness. In addition, the ability to sustain and…

Chapter 23 Sore Throat David H. Newman and Ashley E. Shreves Perspective Epidemiology In 2007 the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey reported more than 2 million emergency department visits…