Triage Protocols for Aging Adults

Provide optimal, evidence-based triage assessment, advice, and protocols, with Triage Protocols for Aging Adults .
The 190 evidence-based protocols offered here address a wide range of symptoms, disorders, and emergencies affecting those 50 and older. Flip quickly to the right symptom and ask the questions listed there to determine whether the individual requires emergency, same-day, or home care. Whether you are in family practice or are a triage nurse working at a hospital, urgent care center, or insurance company, this is the go-to reference to keep by your side.

Advance your evidence-based triage skills and protocols with:

• Easy-to-follow f lowchart format that leads you from yes-or-no questions to assessment, recommendations, and clear instructions
• 190 protocols that cover the most common conditions faced by aging adults—all body systems, plus weakness, falls, loss of memory, poor appetite, medication interaction problems, and more
• Alpha-organized table of contents that helps you locate symptoms quickly
• Contents also organized by body system for quick-find protocols
• Protocols that have symptom-based titles and address issues affecting all body systems, such as abdominal pain and swelling, alcohol problems, allergic reactions, altered mental status, asthma, earache, elder abuse, joint pain/swelling, and more
• All protocols reviewed by a team of nursing experts
• Action column of each protocol that presents emergency actions first
• Coverage of the legal aspects of triage
• Tools and sample forms – telephone triage protocol form, triage documentation form, triage log, skills assessment, call documentation review, and teaching self-assessment guide
• Chapter features include:
• Key Questions – name, age, onset, medications, pain scale, associated symptoms, and history
• Other Protocols to Consider – lists related protocols and their page numbers
• Health Alert – additional information to consider when choosing a protocol, with additional resources listed
• Assessment Questions and Actions – with specific actions under each yes-or-no answer
• Home Care Instructions – detailed instructions sections that explain care to be given before emergency help arrives, while waiting for an appointment, or for ongoing home care
• Report the Following Problems to Your PCP/Clinic/ED – symptoms or conditions that should be reported to their usual healthcare provider
• Seek Emergency Care Immediately if Any of the Following Occur – symptoms or conditions that require emergency care

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Protocols
A
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal Swelling
Abrasions
Alcohol Problems
Allergic Reaction
Altered Mental Status (AMS)
Ankle Injury
Ankle Problems
Anxiety
Appetite Loss
Arm/Hand Injury
Arm/Hand Problems
Asthma
Avian Influenza (“Bird Flu”) Exposure
B
Back/Neck Injury
Back Pain
Bad Breath
Bedbug Exposure or Concerns
Bee Stings
Bites, Animal/Human
Bites, Insect
Bites, Marine Animal
Bites, Snake
Bites, Tick
Bleeding, Severe
Blood/Body Fluid Exposure
Bone, Joint, and Tissue Injury
Breast Problems
Breathing Problems
Bruising
Burns, Chemical
Burns, Electrical
Burns, Thermal
C
Cast/Splint Problems
Chest Pain
Chest Trauma
Choking
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Cold Exposure Problems
Common Cold Symptoms
Confusion
Congestion
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Constipation
Contact Lens Problems
Cough
D
Dehydration
Depression
Diabetes Problems
Diaper (Absorbant Pad) Rash
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Domestic Abuse
E
Earache, Drainage
Ear Injury, Foreign Body
Ear Ringing
Elder Abuse
Electrical Injury
Eye Injury
Eye Problems
F
Facial Problems
Facial Skin Problems
Fainting
Falls
Fatigue
Feeding Tube Problems
Fever
Finger and Toe Problems
Food Allergy, Known or Suspected
Food Poisoning, Suspected
Foot Problems
Foreign Body, Eye
Foreign Body, Inhaled
Foreign Body, Nose
Foreign Body, Rectum
Foreign Body, Skin
Foreign Body, Swallowing of
Foreign Body, Vagina
Frostbite
G
Gas/Belching
Gas/Flatulence
Genital Lesions
Glands, Swollen or Tender
H
Hair Loss
Hay Fever Problems
Headache
Head Injury
Hearing Loss
Heartburn
Heart Rate Problems
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hiccups
Hip Pain/Injury
Hives
HIV Exposure
Hoarseness
Hospice Problems
Hypertension
Hyperventilation
Hypotension
I
Immunization Reactions
Immunization, Tetanus
Impetigo
Indigestion
Influenza
Insomnia
Intravenous Therapy Problems
Itching
J/K
Jaw Pain
Joint Pain/Swelling
Knee Pain/Swelling/Injury
L
Laceration
Leg Injury
Leg Pain/Swelling
Lice
M
Mouth Problems
Muscle Cramps
N
Neck Pain
Neurologic Symptoms
Nosebleed
Nose Injury
Numbness and Tingling
O
Ostomy Problems
Overdose
P
Penis Problems
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Piercing/Pocketing Problems
Pinkeye
Poisoning, Suspected
Postoperative Problems
Puncture Wound
R
Rash
Rectal Bleeding
Rectal Problems
S
Scabies
Scrotal Problems
Seizure
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Sexual Assault
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
Shingles: Suspected or Exposure
Shock, Suspected
Shoulder Pain/Injury
Sickle Cell Disease Problems
Sinus Problems
Skin Lesions: Lumps, Bumps, and Sores
Sleep Apnea
Sore Throat
Speaking Difficulty
Stool, Abnormal
Stool, Incontinence
Stroke, Suspected
Stye
Substance Abuse, Use, or Exposure
Suicide Attempt, Threat
Sunburn
Swallowing Difficulty
Sweating, Excessive
Swelling
Swine Flu (H1N1 Virus) Exposure
T
Tattoo Problems
Tongue Problems
Tooth Injury
Tooth Problems
U
Urinary Catheter/Nephrostomy Tube Problems
Urination, Difficult
Urination, Excessive
Urination, Painful
Urine, Abnormal Color
Urine, Incontinence
V
Vaginal Bleeding
Vaginal Discharge/Pain/Itching
Vision Problems
Vomiting
W
Weakness
West Nile Virus
Wheezing
Wound Care: Sutures or Staples
Wound Healing and Infection
Appendices
Appendix A: Abbreviations
Appendix B: Community Resources Telephone List
Appendix C: Abdominal Pain: Causes and Characteristics
Appendix D: Chest Pain: Causes and Characteristics
Appendix E: Headache: Causes and Characteristics
Appendix F: Practicing Telephone Triage Safely
Appendix G: Strategies to Help Ensure a Quality Telephone Triage System
Appendix H: Tools and Forms
Appendix I: Teaching Self-assessment
Appendix J: Resources
Bibliography
Index