Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient

Dr. Ferri is a Clinical Professor of Community Health at the Alpert Medical School, Brown University and author of over 30 medical books. He has been the best selling medical author in the United States over the past 25 years and is also well known and respected internationally. He has been a visiting Professor at other medical schools and many of his books have been translated in several languages. In addition to his numerous publications, he has had a distinguished academic career at Brown University where he has received several awards for his dedication to teaching including the Brown University Excellence in Teaching award and Dean's teaching Award, and with the American College of Physicians where he was inducted as a Fellow in the ACP and has been a recipient of the Irving Addison Beck Award from the Rhode Island Chapter of the American College of Physicians.

Chapter 1: Evaluation of the Medical Patient 1.1 Diagnostic aids for history and physical exam 1.2 Admission orders 1.3 Progress notes 1.4 Discharge summary 1.5 Pronouncing death while on call 1.6 Data evaluation A. Gram's stain procedure B. Classification of bacteria based on Gram's stain and morphology C. Evaluation of urine sediment D. Diagnostic imaging sediment E. Diagnostic imaging F. Pulmonary artery catheter data interpretation Chapter 2: Differential Diagnosis 2.1 Abdominal distention 2.2 Abdominal pain 2.3 Abortion, recurrent 2.4 Aches and pains, diffuse 2.5 Adnexal mass 2.6 Adrenal masses 2.7 Akinetic/rigid syndrome 2.8 Alopecia 2.9 Alveolar hemorrhage 2.10 Amenorrhea 2.11 Amnesia 2.12 Anaphylaxis 2.13 Anergy, cutaneous 2.14 Aneurysms, thoracic aorta 2.15 Anisocoria 2.16 Arterial occlusion 2.17 Arthritis and eye lesions 2.18 Arthritis and heart murmur 2.19 Arthritis and muscle weakness 2.20 Arthritis and rash 2.21 Arthritis and subcutaneous nodules 2.22 Arthritis and weight loss 2.23 Arthritis, axial skeleton 2.24 Arthritis, fever, and rash 2.25 Arthritis, monoarticular and oligoarticular 2.26 Arthritis, polyarticular 2.27 Ascites 2.28 Ataxia 2.29 Back pain 2.30 Bone pain 2.31 Breast inflammatory lesion 2.32 Breast mass 2.34 Breathing, noisy 2.33 Bullous diseases 2.34 Breath odor 2.36 Cardiac arrest, non-traumatic 2.37 Cardiac murmurs 2.38 Cavitary lesion on chest x-ray 2.39 Chest pain (nonpleuritic) 2.40 Chest pain (pleuritic) 2.41 Clubbing 2.42 Color changes, cutaneous 2.43 Coma 2.44 Constipation 2.45 Cough 2.46 Cyanosis 2.47 Diplopia, binocular 2.48 Dysphagia 2.49 Dyspnea 2.50 Dysuria 2.51 Edema, generalized 2.52 Edema, leg, unilateral 2.53 Edema of lower extremities 2.54 Elevated hemidiaphragm 2.55 Emboli, arterial 2.56 Encephalopathy, metabolic 2.57 Enthesopathy 2.58 Epilepsy 2.59 Epistaxis 2.60 Esophageal perforation 2.61 Eye pain 2.62 Facial pain 2.63 Facial paralysis 2.64 Fatigue 2.65 Fatty liver 2.66 Fever and rash 2.67 Flushing 2.68 Foot pain 2.69 Forearm and hand pain 2.70 Gait abnormalities 2.71 Galactorrhea 2.72 Gastric emptying, delayed 2.73 Gastrointestinal bleeding 2.74 Genital discharge 2.75 Genital sores 2.76 Goiter 2.77 Gynecomastia 2.78 Halitosis 2.79 Headache 2.80 Hearing loss, acute 2.81 Heartburn and indigestion 2.82 Hemarthrosis 2.83 Hematuria 2.84 Hemolysis and hemoglobinuria 2.85 Hemiparesis/hemiplegia 2.86 Hemoptysis 2.87 Hepatic cysts 2.88 Hepatic granulomas 2.89 Hepatomegaly 2.90 Hiccups 2.91 Hirsutism 2.92 Hoarseness 2.93 Hypercapnia, persistent 2.94 Hyperkinetic movement disorders 2.95 Hyperventilation, persistent 2.96 Hypogonadism 2.97 Hypotension, postural 2.98 Impotence 2.99 Insomnia 2.100 Ischemic colitis, nonocclusive 2.101 Jaundice 2.102 Jugular venous distention 2.103 Leg cramps, nocturnal 2.104 Leg ulcers 2.105 Limp 2.106 Livedo reticularis 2.107 Lymphadenopathy 2.108 Mediastinal masses or widening on chest x-ray 2.109 Meningitis, chronic 2.110 Mesenteric ischemia, non-occlusive 2.111 Mesenteric vein thrombosis 2.112 Metastatic neoplasms 2.113 Miosis 2.114 Mononeuropathy 2.115 Muscle weakness 2.116 Mydriasis 2.117 Myelopathy and myelitis 2.118 Myopathies, infectious 2.119 Myopathies, inflammatory 2.120 Nausea and vomiting 2.121 Neck and arm pain 2.122 Neck mass 2.123 Nystagmus 2.124 Ophthalmoplegia 2.125 Palpitations 2.126 Papilledema 2.127 Paraplegia 2.128 Paresthesias 2.129 Pelvic mass 2.130 Pericardial effusion 2.131 Photosensitivity 2.132 Pleural effusions 2.133 Pneumonia, recurrent 2.134 Polyuria 2.135 Popliteal swelling 2.136 Proptosis 2.137 Proteinuria 2.138 Pruritus 2.139 Pruritus ani 2.140 Ptosis 2.141 Pulmonary crackles 2.142 Pulmonary lesions 2.143 Pulmonary nodule, solitary 2.144 Purpura 2.145 Rectal pain 2.146 Red eye 2.147 Scrotal swelling 2.148 Seizures 2.149 Shoulder pain 2.150 Sore throat 2.151 Spinal cord dysfunction 2.152 Splenomegaly 2.153 Steatohepatitis 2.154 Stroke 2.155 Stroke, young adult 2.156 Swollen limb 2.157 Tardive dyskinesia 2.158 Taste and smell loss 2.158 Telengiectasia 2.160 Testicular pain 2.161 Tick-related infections 2.162 Tremor 2.163 Urethral discharge and dysuria 2.164 Urinary retention, acute 2.165 Vertigo 2.166 Vision loss, acute, painful 2.167 Vision loss, acute, painless 2.168 Vision loss, chronic, progressive 2.169 Vocal cord paralysis 2.170 Volume excess 2.171 Vomiting 2.172 Weakness, acute, emergent 2.173 Weight gain 2.174 Weight loss 2.175 Wheezing Chapter 3: Cardiovascular Diseases 3.1 Angina pectoris 3.2 Acute coronary syndromes 3.3 Valvular heart disease A. Mitral stenosis B. Mitral regurgitation C. Mitral valve prolapse D. Aortic stenosis E. Aortic regurgitation 3.4 Congestive heart failure 3.5 Cardiogenic pulmonary edema 3.6 Cardiomyopathies A. Dilated (congestive) cardiomyopathy B. Restrictive cardiomyopathy C. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy 3.7 Myocarditis 3.8 Pericarditis 3.9 Arrhythmias A. Supraventricular arrhythmias B. AV conduction defects C. Ventricular arrhythmias 3.10 Cardiac pacemakers 3.11 Lipid disorders 3.12 Hypertension Chapter 4: Dermatology 4.1 Classification based on initial appearance 4.2 Herpes zoster 4.3 Tinea cruris and tinea corporis 4.4 Rosacea 4.5 Pityarisis rosea 4.6 Eythema multiforme 4.7 Scabies 4.8 Pediculosis 4.9 Basal cell carcinoma 4.10 Squamous cell carcinoma 4.11 Melanoma 4.12 Cutaneous manifestations to internal malignancy 4.13 Fever and rash Chapter 5: Endocrinology 5.1 Diabetes mellitus 5.2 Diabetic ketoacidosis 5.3 Hyperosmolar coma 5.4 Hypoglycemia 5.5 Anterior pituitary disorders A. Hypopituitarism B. Anterior pituitary hypersecretion secondary to pituitary neoplasms 5.6 Fluid homeostasis disorders A. Diabetes insipidus B. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion 5.7 Thyroid disorders A. Interpretation of thyroid function studies B .Hyperthyroidism C. Hypothyroidism D. Thyroiditis E. Evaluation of thyroid nodule 5.8 Calcium hemostasis disorders A .Hypercalcemia B. Hypocalcemia 5.9 Adrenal gland disorders A. Cushing's syndrome B .Primary adrenocortical insufficiency C .Disorders of mineralocorticoid secretion 5.10 Pheochromocytoma 5.11 Carcinoid syndrome 5.12 Multiple endocrine neoplasia Chapter 6 Gastroenterology 6.1 Acute gastrointestinal bleeding 6.2 Peptic ulcer disease 6.3 Inflammatory bowel disease 6.4 Diarrhea 6.5 Malabsorption syndrome 6.6 Diverticular disease 6.7 Acute pancreatitis 6.8 Cholecystitis 6.9 Appendicitis 6.10 Viral hepatitis 6.11 Cirrhosis 6.12 Hepatic failure 6.13 Non-alcoholic fatty liver 6.14 Pseudomembranous colitis Chapter 7 Hematology/Oncology 7.1 Approach to the patient with anemia 7.2 Microcytic anemia 7.3 Normocytic ane 7.4 Macrocytic anemia 7.5 Acute leukemia 7.6 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia 7.7 Chronic myelogenous leukemia 7.8 Hairy cell leukemia 7.9 Myelodysplastic syndromes 7.10 Hodgkin's disease 7.11 Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 7.12 Multiple myeloma 7.13 Polycythemia vera 7.14 Platelet disorders A. Thrombocytopenia B. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura C. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura D. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia 7.15 Disseminated intravascular coagulation 7.16 Carcinoma of the breast 7.17 Carcinoma of the colon 7.18 Carcinoma of the lung 7.19 Thyroid carcinoma A. Papillary carcinoma B. Follicular carcinoma C. Anaplastic carcinoma D. Medullary carcinoma 7.20 Cerebral neoplasms 7.21 Prostate cancer Chapter 8 Infectious Diseases 8.1 Principles of antibiotic use 8.2 Empiric antibiotic therapy 8.3 Infections in the immunocompromised host 8.4 Bacteremia and sepsis 8.5 Fever of unknown origin 8.6 Pneumonia 8.7 Tuberculosis 8.8 Bacterial meningitis 8.9 Infective endocarditis 8.10 Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome A. The asymptomatic HIV-infected patient B. Treatment of symptomatic patient with HIV-defining illness (AIDS) 8.11 Cellulitis 8.12 Infectious arthritis 8.13 Septic bursitis 8.14 Lyme disease 8.15 Osteomyelitis 8.16 Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis 8.17 Urinary tract infections 8.18 Prostatitis 8.19 Treatment guidelines for selected sexually transmitted diseases A. Diseases characterized by genital ulcers B. Syphilis C. Urethritis D. Mucopurulent cervicitis E. Gonococcal infections F. Diseases characterized by vaginal discharge G. Pelvic inflammatory disease H. Epididymitis I. Genital warts Chapter 9: Nephrology 9.1 Renal failure 9.2 Disorders of sodium homeostasis A. Hyponatremia B. Hypernatremia 9.3 Disorders of potassium homeostasis A. Hypokalemia B. Hyperkalemia 9.4 Disorders of magnesium metabolism A. Hypomagnesemia B. Hypermagnesemia 9.5 Disorders of phosphate metabolism A. Hypophosphatemia B. Hyperphosphatemia Chapter 10 Neurology 10.1 Generalized tonic-clonic seizures 10.2 Transient ischemic attack 10.3 Stroke 10.4 Parkinson's disease 10.5 Delirium and dementia 10.6 Multiple sclerosis 10.7 Peripheral nerve dysfunction 10.8 Guillain-Barre syndrome 10.9 Myasthenia gravis 10.10 Serotonin syndrome Chapter 11 Pulmonary Diseases 11.1 Asthma 11.2 Mechanical ventilation 11.3 Acute bronchospasm A. Status asthmaticus B. Exacerbation of COPD 11.4 Diffuse interstitial pulmonary disease 11.5 Sarcoidosis 11.6 Pulmonary thromboembolism 11.7 Pulmonary function testing Chapter 12: Rheumatology 12.1 Vasculitic syndromes 12.2 Giant cell (temporal) arteritis 12.3 Polymyalgia rheumatica 12.4 Takayasu arteritis (aortic arch syndrome) 12.5 Polyarteritis (periarteritis) nodosa 12.6 Wegener's granulomatosis 12.7 Systemic lupus erythematosus 12.8 Rheumatoid arthritis 12.9 Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) 12.10 Crystal-induced arthritides A. Acute gout B. Joint diseases caused by other chemical species of crystals 12.11 Spondyloarthropathies 12.12 Raynaud's phenomenon 12.l3 Carpal tunnel syndrome Chapter 13 Interdisciplinary Medicine 13.1 Acid-base disturbances 13.2 Venous thromboembolism 13.3 Acute respiratory distress syndrome 13.4 General management of poisoning and drug overdose 13.5 Syncope 3.6 Rhabdomyolysis 13.7 Management of alcohol withdrawal 13.8 Accidental hypothermia 13.9 Heat stroke 13.10 Neuroleptic malignant syndrome 13.11 Antiphospholipid syndrome Chapter 14 Procedures and Interpretation of Results 14.1 Lumbar puncture 14.2 Thoracentesis 14.3 Paracentesis 14.4 Arthrocentesis 14.5 Bone marrow examination 14.6 Radial artery cannulation 14.7 Central venous access 14.8 Endotracheal intubation Chapter 15 Laboratory Values and Interpretation of Results Chapter 16 Formulary 16.1 Schedules of controlled substances 16.2 Composition of a prescription order 16.3 Medications APPENDIXES I. Frequently Used Clinical Formulas 1. Creatinine clearance 2. Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (An gradient) 3. Sodium formulas 4. Osmolality formulas 5. Cardiac output formulas 6. Cardiovascular performance tables/formulas 7. Water balance (TB, W, water deficit, free water clearance) 8. Fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) 9. Corrected calcium 10. Lung volumes 11. Determination of caloric needs II. Nomogram for Calculation of Body Surface Area III. Parameters of Nutritional Assessment IV. Toxic and Therapeutic Serum Values of Selected Drugs