List of Contributors xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xvii
Contributors xix
Chapter 1 The principles of paramedic patient assessment 1
Justin Honey-Jones, Jonathan Todd, and Sharmila Francis
Introduction 1
Consent 2
Primary survey 4
Red flags 27
Conclusion 28
Glossary 28
References 29
Further reading 30
Chapter 2 Critical thinking and clinical decision-making 33
Dawn Ball and James Wilkinson
Introduction 34
Application of critical thinking to patient assessment 34
Theoretical models of critical thinking 34
Using evidence-based practice to enhance critical thinking 35
Evaluating and improving critical thinking and decision-making skills 37
Human factors and barriers to clinical decision-making 38
Conclusion 40
Multiple choice questions 41
References 42
Further reading 42
Chapter 3 Respiratory assessment 43
Christine Findlay and Kylie Kendrick
Introduction 43
Anatomy and physiology 44
Patient assessment 50
Respiratory assessment 50
Family/social history 54
Medications 54
Palpation 55
Percussion 55
Auscultation 56
Clinical decision-making tools 57
Conclusion 63
Multiple choice questions 63
Glossary 64
References 64
Further reading 65
Chapter 4 Respiratory conditions 67
Kylie Kendrick and Christine Findlay
Introduction 67
Common respiratory conditions 68
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 70
Acute pulmonary oedema 73
Pulmonary embolism 75
Foreign body airway obstruction 78
Spontaneous Pneumothorax 79
Conclusion 81
Multiple choice questions 81
Glossary 82
References 83
Further reading 84
Chapter 5 Cardiovascular assessment 85
Samantha Sweet
Introduction 85
Conclusion 96
Multiple choice questions 96
Glossary 97
References 97
Further reading 98
Chapter 6 Cardiovascular conditions 99
Samantha Sweet
Introduction 99
Specific conditions 100
Conclusion 107
Multiple choice questions 107
Glossary 108
References 108
Further reading 109
Chapter 7 Gastrointestinal/genitourinary conditions 111
Anthony Kitchener
Introduction 111
Acute cholecystitis 113
Acute pancreatitis 114
Appendicitis 115
Constipation 116
Diverticular disease 117
Gastritis 117
Hepatitis 118
Inflammatory bowel disease 119
Ischaemic bowel and intestinal obstruction 120
Torsion (Testes or ovaries) 121
Renal or ureteric colic 122
Multiple choice questions 123
Glossary 124
References 124
Further reading 125
Chapter 8 The gastrointestinal assessment 127
Andrew Preece
Introduction 127
Patient assessment 128
Case studies 139
Conclusion 140
Multiple choice questions 140
Glossary 141
References 141
Further reading 142
Chapter 9 The neurological assessment 143
James Wilkinson and Samantha Dalton
Introduction 143
Patient assessment 146
History taking for the neurological system 150
Discharge on scene advice 156
Conclusion 157
Multiple choice questions 158
Glossary 158
References 159
Further reading 159
Chapter 10 Neurological conditions 161
Barry Murphy -Jones
Introduction 161
Stroke 162
Epidemiology 162
Pathophysiology 163
Epidemiology 166
Pathophysiology 166
Pathophysiology 167
Treatment 168
Headaches 168
Epidemiology 168
Pathophysiology 168
Pathophysiology 169
Acute Behavioural Disturbances 170
Pathophysiology 170
Learning events 171
Conclusion 172
Multiple choice questions 172
Glossary 173
References 173
Further reading 174
Chapter 11 Musculoskeletal assessment 175
Patrick Moloney
Introduction 175
Patient assessment 176
History 178
Conclusion 186
Multiple choice questions 186
Glossary 187
References 187
Further reading 188
Chapter 12 Musculoskeletal conditions 189
Patrick Moloney
Introduction 189
Specific conditions 192
Management 195
Colles' fracture 195
Septic arthritis 196
Lumbar radiculopathy (lower back nerve pain) 199
Conclusion 201
Multiple choice questions 202
Glossary 203
References 203
Further reading 204
Chapter 13 Trauma assessment 205
Joseph Steer
Introduction 205
Patient assessment 207
Primary survey 210
Catastrophic haemorrhage 212
Conclusion 223
Multiple choice questions 223
Glossary 224
References 224
Further reading 225
Chapter 14 Traumatic injuries and conditions 227
Thomas Strudwick
Introduction 227
Head trauma 228
Spinal injury 230
Thoracic trauma 234
Abdominal trauma 237
Pelvic trauma 240
Limb trauma 241
Traumatic cardiac arrest 246
Conclusion 249
Multiple choice questions 249
Glossary 250
References 250
Further reading 253
Chapter 15 The paediatric assessment 255
Will Broughton
Introduction 255
Paediatric specific primary survey (DRCABCDE) 256
Summary 257
Summary 260
Summary and plan 264
Conclusion 268
Multiple choice questions 268
Glossary 269
References 269
Further reading 269
Multiple choice questions 268
Glossary 269
References 269
Further reading 269
Chapter 16 Paediatric conditions 271
Keith Bromwich
Introduction 271
Ears and throat 272
Sore throat 273
Cough (General) 277
Management additional specific 283
Conclusion 285
Multiple choice questions 285
Glossary 286
References 286
Chapter 17 Obstetric assessment 289
Fiona Scarlett
Introduction 289
Physiological changes in pregnancy 290
The structured approach to patient assessment 291
Position 292
Fundus 295
Clinical decision-making tools 298
Case studies 301
Conclusion 304
Multiple choice questions 305
Glossary 305
References 306
Further reading 307
Chapter 18 Maternal conditions 309
Helen McAdam
Introduction 309
Maternal conditions (including obstetric emergencies) 310
Placental abruption 315
Placental praevia 317
General management of pregnancy loss 321
Conclusion 324
Multiple choice questions 324
Glossary 325
References 326
Further reading 326
Chapter 19 Newborn assessment 327
Helen McAdam
Introduction 327
Neonatal assessment 328
Pre-hospital
newborn assessment 330
Newborn pathophysiology 331
Clinical decision-making
tools 337
Conclusion 340
Multiple choice questions 340
Glossary 341
References 341
Further reading 342
Chapter 20 The older person assessment 343
Kieran Robinson
Introduction 343
Primary survey 343
History taking 345
Advanced care planning 347
Conclusion 352
Multiple choice questions 353
Glossary 354
References 355
Further reading 356
Chapter 21 Older Person Conditions 357
Cole Tideswell
Introduction 357
Multiple choice questions 374
References 375
Chapter 22 End of Life Care and Palliative Assessment 377
Graham Turner and Caroline Phillips
Introduction 378
The pill box 382
Clinical decision-making tools 383
The Sepsis Screening Tool 383
Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) 383
Conclusion 384
Multiple choice questions 384
Glossary 385
References 386
Further reading 386
Chapter 23 Palliative Emergencies and Conditions 387
Andrew Hichisson and James Roberts
Introduction 387
Specific conditions 388
Spinal cord compression 389
Gastrointestinal complaints 392
Pain 393
Agitation 396
Haemorrhage 397
End of life 398
Family/Carer distress 399
Conclusion 399
Multiple choice questions 399
Glossary 400
References 401
Further reading 402
Chapter 24 Assessment of mental health in paramedic practice 403
Katie Pavoni
Introduction 404
Take note 415
Conclusion 415
Glossary 417
Multiple choice questions 417
References 418
Further reading 419
Chapter 25 Mental health and neurodivergent conditions 421
Justin Honey-Jones
Introduction 422
Neurodivergent conditions 423
Mental health conditions 424
Anxiety disorders 424
Depression 427
Bipolar disorder 428
Post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) 429
Schizophrenia 430
Eating disorders 430
Binge eating disorder 431
Reasonable adjustments 433
Conclusion 434
Glossary 435
References 436
Further reading 437
Index 000
