Telephone Health Assessment: Guidelines for Practice

By Sandra M. Simonsen and Sandra M. Simonsen RNP MSN

TELEPHONE HEALTH ASSESSMENT: GUIDELINES FOR PRACTICE, 2nd edition, helps nurses accurately assess a patients health problem over the telephone. Since the first edition published in 1996, the field of telephone triage has continued to expand and be recognized as a specialty area of nursing practice. This practical, hands-on manual provides assessment of the telephone client and encourages the critical-thinking skills and independent professional judgment of the telephone health clinician. It was designed for registered nurses who have extensive and varied experience. This edition is a more efficient source of clinical information to better assist the nurse with decision making and critical thinking.Covers most common areas of concern and conditions organized by body systemsSpiral-bound, practical flip-chart style retained for handheld, readily accessible, pertinent information

Heavy cardstock paper ensures durability even with daily useDie-cut tabs for each topic and second color provide quick and easy access to all information

Expanded information in all areas Outline of assessment questions for the caller specific to the topic

Questions to identify callers main problem or concern Problem identification with triage guidelines and precautions

List of possible medical conditions and planning considerations Recommendations and interventions to instruct the caller when to call 911, make a same-day appointment, or call back for an appointment

Home care instructionsNEW FEATURES

Emergency instructions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway obstruction, and emergency childbirth have been added Cardiac risk assessment profile and classic signs and/or symptoms of cardiac risk

Section on menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and birth control methods and their side effects added to Gynecologic AssessmentBreastfeeding problem solving section added to Obstetrics Assessment

A map of the abdomen describing common complaints and their most likely diagnoses to assist with triage added to Abdominal Pain Assessment Information about back pain and back pain history added to Musculoskeletal Assessment

Signs and/or symptoms and precautions for the most common headaches added to Headache AssessmentSection specific to home care for adults with perianal irritations added to Perianal Assessment

Classic CVA (stroke) signs and/or symptoms and pre-arrival instructions added to Neurologic AssessmentMost important information highlighted within the text in second color

Uses special icons to introduce pediatric informationAdult and pediatric documentation tablets shrinkwrapped with the text

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0323011640
• ISBN13: 9780323011648
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Mosby
• Length: 102 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.5" x 11.0"