Basicmedical Key

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 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 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 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 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 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 Douglas N. Fish and Susan L. Pendland   KEY CONCEPTS   Folliculitis, furuncles (boils), and carbuncles begin around hair follicles and are caused most often by…

KEY CONCEPTS   Complex physiology surrounds the process of fertilization and pregnancy progression.   Drug characteristics and physiologic changes modify drug pharmacokinetics during pregnancy, including changes in absorption, protein binding,…

Asthma H. William Kelly and Christine A. Sorkness   KEY CONCEPTS   Asthma is a disease of increasing prevalence that is a result of genetic predisposition and environmental interactions; it…

KEY CONCEPTS   Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in minimal alterations in the absorption or bioavailability of most drugs.   The volume of distribution (VD) of many drugs is increased…