Death comes for us all, and the desire to ease into that death is as ancient as humankind. The idea that sometimes it is better to die quickly and in control of that death--rather than linger in pain and misery once impending death is certain--has troubled yet comforted humankind. In Doctor, Please Help Me Die, author Tom Preston, MD, presents a thorough overview and discussion of end-of-life issues and physician-assisted death in America.

Doctor, Please Help Me Die traces the history of patients seeking relief from suffering at the end of life and discusses how cultural and professional customs have inhibited many doctors from helping their patients at the end. Preston shows how most doctors fail their patients by not discussing dying with them and by refusing to consider legal physician aid in dying--ultimately deceiving the public in their refusal to help patients die. He discusses the religious, political, and legal battles in this part of the culture war and gives advice to patients on how to gain peaceful dying.

Preston presents a strong argument for why every citizen who is dying ought to be extended an inalienable right to die peacefully, and why every physician has an ethical obligation to assist patients who want to exercise this right safely, securely, and painlessly.

In collaboration with Consulting Editor, Dr. Stephen Krau, Guest Editor Dr. Courtney J. Pitts has put together a comprehensive update on sexually transmitted infections. Expert authors have contributed clinical review articles on the following topics: STI Prevalence in the United States and the relationship to the social determinants of health; Psychosocial aspects and ethical concerns of STIs treatment and management; Update on guidelines for STI treatment and management - adults and adolescents; STIs and HIV; Proctitis in MSM; Herpes simplex Virus; Pharmacological updates on Hepatitis C treatment; The Reemergence of Syphilis: Clinical Pearls for consideration; The use of technology in the screening and management of STIs; Decreasing barriers to sexual health in the LGBTQI community; STIs and pregnancy; Update on pharmacology of HIV; An update on HPV guidelines; and Pre-exposure (PrEP) prophylaxis versus Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Readers will come away with the updates and information they need to improve patient care and outcomes in patients with sexually transmitted infections.

Selected Themes in Nursing Home Management presents a critical examination of traditional practices by managements of nursing homes-practices that have rendered illusory the accomplishment of the noble goals of providing needed care for the elderly population. Anchored in real floor experiences of the author, the book provides a roadmap toward the destination of compassionate care for the elderly. It is a compelling read for policy makers, department of health regulators and supervisors, nursing home managers and staff, and students of healthcare management.

Graduate nurses are expected to 'hit the ground running', taking on complex care challenges in a stressful and fast-paced environment. This comprehensive yet accessible textbook provides expert guidance for students and commencing nurses on the contexts for their practice. Part 1 presents a pragmatic insight into the intersection, tensions and complexities of practice and professional issues for Australian nurses. It outlines the nature of nursing roles and professional codes of conduct, national health priority areas and legal and ethical issues including the growing use of health informatics. There is an examination of the diverse career paths available in nursing, a focus on nurses' mental health and well-being and a special examination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues. Part 2 unpacks key issues across a range of clinical contexts that will be a key resource for clinical practicums. Contexts covered include acute care, community nursing, paediatric nursing, mental health nursing and aged care. Part 3 examines the professional and practice issues of nursing in diverse, distinctive and emergent practice areas including aesthetic nursing, military nursing and international nursing with case studies and vignettes highlighting common issues and challenges. Drawing on the expertise of a wide range of Australian clinical and academic nursing professionals, this text is a key reference for all nursing undergraduates seeking to enter successfully into the profession.

As people are living longer on average than ever before, the number of those with dementia will increase. Because many will live a considerable time at home with their diagnosis, we need to know more about the ways people can adapt to and learn to live with dementia in their everyday lives. Lars-Christer Hyden argues in this book that to do so will involve re-imagining what dementia really is and what it can mean to the afflicted and their loved ones. One of the most important everyday opportunities for sharing experiences is the simple act of storytelling. But when someone close to you gradually loses the ability to tell stories and cherish the shared history you have together, this is seen as a threat to the relationship, to the feeling of belonging together, and to the identity of the person diagnosed. Therefore, learning about how people with dementia can participate in storytelling along with their families and friends helps to sustain those relationships and identities. In Entangled Narratives, Hyden not only emphasizes the possibilities that are inherent in collaborative storytelling, but instructs professionals and otherwise healthy relatives to learn how to effectively listen and, ultimately, re-imagine their patients and loved ones as collaborative meaning-makers in their lives.

As the likely first responder in an emergency, you need quick access to essential information on the potential complications of many different cancer types and treatments. The new edition of this trusted resource provides up-to-date information on the pathophysiology, complications, risks, treatment approaches, prognosis, assessment findings, and nursing and medical interventions for a wide range of cancers. It also offers valuable information to help you fulfill your role as care coordinator and patient advocate, including client education guidelines, discharge procedures, and strategies for helping the client and family deal with the impact of the disease's progression. A consistent format throughout helps you quickly find the information you need, no matter what the topic. This indispensable reference is written and reviewed by both oncology and acute care nurses, ensuring accuracy, currency, and clinical relevance. Coverage of each cancer includes pathophysiologic mechanisms, epidemiology and etiology, risk profile, prognosis, professional assessment criteria (PAC), nursing care and treatment, evidence-based practice update, patient teaching, nursing diagnoses or DSM-IV, evaluation and desired outcomes, and discharge planning with follow-up care, where needed. The latest prognosis statistics give you a realistic picture of the survival possibilities for your patients so you can provide the most appropriate nursing care and patient education. Multiple-choice review questions with answers and rationales at the end of each chapter help reinforce your understanding of key concepts and prepare you for certification examinations. Special boxes highlight pediatric-specific care considerations for working with children. Six new chapters - Biliary and Pancreatic Obstruction, Depression and Cognitive Dysfunction, Dyspnea and Airway Obstruction, GI Obstruction, Heart Failure, and Spiritual Distress - keep you up to date with the latest advances in oncology nursing. Evidence-based rationales in the nursing interventions help you apply the latest research findings to actual practice. Each chapter includes a new section on pathophysiology to help you understand the physiologic processes associated with each oncologic complication.

In collaboration with Consulting Editor, Dr. Cynthia Bautista, Dr. Mary Amatangelo has put together a comprehensive issue on nursing priorities for the stroke patient. Expert authors have contributed clinical review articles on the following topics: The Neurologic Exam; Large Vessel Occlusion; Blood Pressure Control for Ischemic Stroke; Malignant Hemispheric Stroke; Priority Nursing Interventions Caring for the Stroke Patient; Monitoring for Post-Stroke Seizures; Cryptogenic Stroke; In-House Stroke Code; Why Stroke Certification Matters; Stroke Rehabilitation; and Ethical Concerns in Caring for the Stroke Patient. Readers will come away with the information they need to improve outcomes for stroke patients in the ICU.

Advancements in research in psychological science have afforded great insights into how our minds work. Making an Impact on Mental Health analyses contemporary, international research to examine a number of core themes in mental health, such as mindfulness and attachment, and provides an understanding of the sources of mentally ill health and strategies for remediation. The originality of this work is the embedding of psychological science in an evolutionary approach. Each chapter discusses the context of a specific research project, looking at the methodological and practical challenges, how the results have been interpreted and communicated, the impact and legacy of the research and the lessons learnt. As a whole, the book looks at how social environments shape who we are and how we form relationships with others, which can be detrimental, but equally a source of flourishing and well-being. Covering a range of themes conducive to understanding and facilitating improved mental health, Making an Impact on Mental Health is invaluable reading for advanced students in clinical psychology and professionals in the mental health field.

The second edition of Nursing Care of Children and Young People with Long Term Conditions remains the only nursing-specific text on the care of paediatric patients with chronic illness. Written to meet the needs of nursing students and professionals alike, this comprehensive volume provides authoritative and up-to-date information on the context, theory, and practice of delivering holistic care to children and families in a range of health and social care settings. Contributions from a team of experienced academics, educators, and practitioners offer valuable insight into the impact of chronic illness on children and parents, the practical implications of meeting their physical, psychological, and social needs, empowering them to be 'experts' in their care, and many more vital aspects of long-term paediatric care. This edition features new and revised content reflecting contemporary guidelines and evidence-based practice, including updated clinical case studies and a new chapter examining the impact of having a sibling with a long-term condition. Emphasising a multi-disciplinary approach to managing chronic illness, this important resource: Provides numerous case studies and activities illustrating the application of theoretical principles and current evidence in nursing practice Investigates the genetic basis of chronic illness and the differing onsets of long-term conditions Discusses current political, economic, and social policies that are influencing healthcare for children and bringing challenges to managers and practitioners Examines both classic and contemporary theories of grief, loss, coping, and adaptation Explores ethical, legal, and professional aspects of nursing children and young people with chronic illness Addresses evolving nursing roles, the importance of acute emergency care, and the planning and delivery of effective transition from child to adult services Nursing Care of Children and Young People with Long Term Conditions is required reading for student and registered children's nurses, as well as for practitioners in related health and social care disciplines.

In collaboration with Consulting Editor, Dr. Cynthia Bautista, Dr. Judy Davidson has put together a comprehensive issue on family and patient experience in the ICU. Expert authors have contributed clinical review articles on the following topics: Humanizing Intensive Care: From Theory to Practice; FiCare; Patient's Own Pets in the ICU; Sleep in the ICU; Implementation of a Patient and Family-Centered ICU Peer Support Program at a Veterans Affairs Hospital; Understanding the Experiences of Patients and Families in the ICU: More than Engagement; Implementing a Patient and Family Communication Bundle in the ICU; Integrating Primary Palliative Care into the ICU: The Critical Care Nurse Communicator Program; Bereavement Care in the Adult ICU: Directions for Practice; A review on the Use of Diaries; Supporting Families of Patients with Rare or Unusual Critical Illnesses; and Meeting the Special Needs of Families of CTICU patients. Readers will come away with the information they need to improve family and patients experiences in the ICU.

This is a comprehensive skills manual is designed for students and qualified Nurse Practitioners in health care who are learning to talk to patients, examine them, and to understand and assess their problems. It deals with the health history, common and important symptoms, and the assessment of mental status. In sections devoted to body regions and body systems, the book describes the sequence and techniques of physical examination, and helps the reader to identify selected abnormalities. It emphasizes common or important problems (rather than the infrequent or esoteric) found in both adult and childhood conditions. The sections are designed to help readers apply their knowledge to interpreting symptoms, examining the human body, and understanding physical signs. It is an invaluable resource written specifically for Nurse Practitioners by Nurse Practitioners. each chapter follows a template to enable quick access to and assimilation of information comprehensive coverage of all body systems will reassure NPs that the book contains everything they need to know about written and edited by Nurse Practitioners to ensure it meets the need of practising NPs it emphasizes common or important problems (rather than the infrequent or esoteric) found in both adult and childhood conditions so the content is immediately applicable to clinical practice More material relating to health education and management of minor illness More reference to lab findings and implications of results Guidelines on recording specific finding in clinical notes New chapters on men's health and women's health Health promotion and prevention of disease incorporated into all chapters

Palliative and End-of-Life Care, 2nd Edition provides clinicians with the guidelines and tools necessary to provide quality, evidenced-based care to patients with life-limiting illness. This text describes the care and management of patients with advanced disease throughout the disease trajectory, extending from diagnosis of advanced disease until death. Four units provide the general principles of palliative and end-of-life care, important concepts, advanced disease management, and clinical practice guidelines. Clinical practice guidelines offer in-depth discussions of the pathophysiology of 19 different symptoms, interventions for specific symptom management (including in-depth rationales), and suggestions for patient and family teaching. Defines dying as a normal, healthy process aided by the support of an interdisciplinary team. Provides in-depth pathophysiology, assessment, and intervention information based upon the disease trajectory. Highlights opportunities for patient and family teaching. Describes psychosocial issues experienced by patients and their families. Reviews uncomplicated and complicated grief and mourning, providing suggestions to help the family after a patient's death. Includes case studies at the end of chapters to reinforce key concepts of compassionate care. New chapters including Advance Care Planning, Ethical Issues, Spiritual Care Across Cultures, Pharmacology, Sleep, and Nutrition. Includes a new appendix on Assessment Tools and Resources for more comprehensive coverage of palliative and end-of-life care.

With patients leaving the hospital sicker and more care being done in outpatient settings or at home, patients need to become active, informed participants on their health care team. This one-of-a-kind text provides unique advice to help nurses apply their knowledge and skills to teaching patients in the clinical setting with specific diseases, including special populations. The book is organized into two basic sections - the first describes the theories and process of learning and teaching, and the second focuses on the major fields of patient education practice in place today. The new case study approach also makes it easy for students to understand how to apply teaching strategies to specific patient types resulting in better informed patients and a more positive teaching/learning experience. Covers a variety of learning theories and concepts, as well as strategies for applying them in patient teaching. Uses evidence-based patient education practice, with extensive citations to the research base. Presents key issues in patient education such as literacy, use of patient decision aids, and multiple patient conditions for which organized patient education should be developed. Includes study questions with suggested answers. Teaching basics streamlined for use as the main text for a course or as a supplement to any clinically oriented course. Includes multiple case examples, at every stage of the teaching process, which students can use as models to guide their own practice. New case study approach provides multiple case examples enabling readers to understand how to apply teaching strategies to specific patient types and settings. Now includes significant content in patient self-management of chronic conditions, the largest growing area of patient education.

Nursing Education in the Clinical Setting provides a practical approach to clinical nursing instruction. Although grounded in adult learning theory, this unique resource provides practicable suggestions and addresses common questions and issues. The text incorporates illustrative scenarios, discussion questions, and reflection exercises designed to facilitate thoughtful application of the content. Addresses the role transition for a nurse with clinical expertise to that of clinical nursing instructor. Provides important tips for effectively appraising student performance such as student involvement in self-evaluation and goal setting, and suggestions for how evaluation and appraisal are shared with the student. Incorporates sample scenarios to illustrate concepts and allow the reader to apply them. Integrates discussion questions and exercises designed to facilitate thoughtful application and critical thinking skills. Addresses all aspects of learning, including "cognitive" (e.g., critical thinking), "affective" (e.g., caring), and "psychomotor" (e.g., technical skills). Provides actual examples of tools to be used for documenting student performance and approaches for stimulating student involvement and critical thinking. Includes a separate chapter on Clinical Faculty as Clinical Coach that discusses how learning is facilitated in the clinical setting with the guidance of an effective teacher. Features a Clinical Toolbox that contains a variety of supplemental resources, including sample approaches for teaching and evaluation, suggestions for preparing anecdotal notes, and relevant reference material. Incorporates issues related to computer access of patient data banks for students, and the federal regulations mandated by HIPAA and their clinical education implications.

Written by expert pediatric nurse practitioners, this resource is a fully endorsed compendium of essential information. Using an easy-to-use outline format, it defines the parameters of the specialty by outlining the entire scope of PNP practice and covers everything in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) certification exams. In light of the increase in the number of PNP programs and students seeking certification, Core Curriculum for Primary Pediatric Nurse Practitioners offers the big-picture view that every PNP needs. Authored and endorsed by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and the Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (AFPNP). Chapters that cover the continuum of PNP practice, such as the Role of the PNP, Wellness Issues, Growth and Development, Genetics, diagnosing and managing Common Illnesses and Chronic Conditions, Pediatric Emergencies, Pharmacology, and Treatment Guides. Concise outline format is accessible and user-friendly. Covers all content on both the ANCB and ANCC certification exams