Cardiac Diagnosis for Acute Care: The NP’s and PA’s Guide to a Comprehensive History and Deciphering the Differential

DescriptionHelps clinicians to systematically look beyond the obvious to arrive at a correct diagnosisWritten specifically for both novice and experienced cardiovascular clinicians in acute care settings, this is the only resource to focus on the art of conducting an in-depth patient history. Too often, patients will tell their first provider one thing and their second provider another. Even when asked the exact same question, patients’ stories can inexplicably change. Clinicians can save time, effort, and cost by parsing out conflicting patient histories with a specific and detailed line of questioning. If recorded accurately and interpreted correctly, a comprehensive history alone may obtain a correct diagnosis without exhaustive and expensive evaluations.This book includes two clinical scenarios for chief complaints that cardiovascular clinicians may see in their practice. Unpacking these scenarios challenges clinicians to look beyond the obvious and recognize atypical presentations. Each scenario dissects then discusses the history and other pertinent patient information to illuminate subtle differences in the process of information gathering. With this breakdown, the clinician can then identify if the patient has an acute cardiovascular issue. Each chapter ends with a sample of “how to present the patient” to an MD or peer and describes common pitfalls and assumptions to avoid.Key FeaturesFocuses specifically on acute cardiovascular issues in acute care settingsReferenced by chief complaint or consult questionsTargets patient history portion of the workupExamines subtle differences between cardiac diagnosis versus noncardiac diagnosis based on how patient history is takenHighlights common errors in review of information using electronic medical records versus standard questioningTable of ContentsForeword by Susan M. Salahshor, PhD, PA-C DFAAPAForeword by Joseph L. Blackshear, MDPrefaceIntroduction: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Patient History in Acute Cardiac PresentationsPART I: COMMON PRESENTATIONS OF ACUTE CARDIAC CONDITIONSChapter 1. Chest Pain: A First LookChapter 2. Chest Pain: Another EncounterChapter 3. Shortness of Breath: A First LookChapter 4. Shortness of Breath: Another EncounterChapter 5. Syncope: A First LookChapter 6. Syncope: Another EncounterChapter 7. Elevated Troponin: A First LookChapter 8. Elevated Troponin: Another EncounterPART II: UNCOMMON PRESENTATIONS OF ACUTE CARDIAC CONDITIONSChapter 9. FatigueChapter 10. CoughChapter 11. Abdominal PainPART III: SUMMARY AND USEFUL CLINICAL TOOLSChapter 12. ConclusionChapter 13. Bonus Section: The Write-UpIndexAuthors BiographyLeslie E. Janik, MSN, ARNP, ACNP-BC, is an instructor of medicine in the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. She has been a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner in the division of cardiovascular diseases at Mayo Clinic since 2005, when she helped establish a cardiovascular inpatient service.