Contraception
KEY CONCEPTS The attitude of the patient and sexual partner toward contraceptive methods, efficacy rate, the reliability of the patient in using the method correctly (which may affect the…
Pain Management
Pain Management Terry J. Baumann, Chris M. Herndon, and Jennifer M. Strickland KEY CONCEPTS It is important, whenever possible, to ask patients if they have pain, to identify…
Infections in Immunocompromised Patients
Infections in Immunocompromised Patients Douglas N. Fish and Scott W. Mueller KEY CONCEPTS An immunocompromised host is a patient with defects in host defenses that predispose to infection….
Cardiovascular Testing
Cardiovascular Testing Richard A. Lange and L. David Hillis KEY CONCEPTS A careful history and physical examination are extremely important in diagnosing cardiovascular disease; they should be performed…
Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid Disorders Jacqueline Jonklaas and Robert L. Talbert KEY CONCEPTS Advances in the understanding of the structure and metabolism of thyroid hormones, and the molecular biology of thyroid…
The Arrhythmias
The Arrhythmias Cynthia A. Sanoski and Jerry L. Bauman KEY CONCEPTS The use of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) in the United States has declined because of major trials that…
Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism Daniel M. Witt and Nathan P. Clark KEY CONCEPTS The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is related to several easily identifiable factors, including age, major surgery…
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Martha G. Blackford, Mark L. Glover, and Michael D. Reed KEY CONCEPTS Respiratory infections remain the major cause of morbidity from acute illness in…
Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections
Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections Douglas N. Fish and Susan L. Pendland KEY CONCEPTS Folliculitis, furuncles (boils), and carbuncles begin around hair follicles and are caused most often by…
