Nurse Key

CHAPTER 13 Dyspnea Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a subjective sensation of air hunger that results in labored breathing. True dyspnea results from three general causes: (1) an increased…

CHAPTER 32 Urinary problems in females and children Common adult female urinary concerns include changes in usual urination patterns (frequency, urgency, nocturia, incontinence), changes in urine appearance (color, cloudiness), and…

CHAPTER 21 Low back pain (acute) A report of acute low back pain (ALBP), although quite common, requires a thorough evaluation. The underlying pathophysiology of back pain is frequently multifactorial…

CHAPTER 28 Sleep problems Each year more than 10 million Americans seek medical help for sleep problems. Patients report insufficient or nonrestorative sleep, despite adequate opportunity, that results in some…

CHAPTER 19 Hoarseness Hoarseness is a disturbance of the normal voice pitch by an abnormal vibration of the vocal cords. It is a term used to describe an unnaturally rough,…

CHAPTER 4 Amenorrhea Amenorrhea is a lack of menstruation that can be the result of primary or secondary causes. Primary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menarche by 16…

CHAPTER 14 Earache Otalgia, or ear pain, is generally caused by an inflammatory process. In children, inflammation most commonly occurs in the middle ear. Adults more often have an earache…

CHAPTER 10 Cough Cough is one of the most common symptoms for which patients seek health care. Cough occurs when inspiration is followed by an explosive expiration. Coughing promotes clearance…

CHAPTER 22 Nasal symptoms and sinus congestion Concern about symptoms of the “common cold” accounts for a significant proportion of primary care visits by both children and adults, especially in…

CHAPTER 15 Fatigue Fatigue, also called asthenia, is a constitutional symptom that can be the result of normal physiological consequences of exertion or a symptom of illness. It is a…