18. ASCITES
CHAPTER 18. ASCITES Debra E. Heidrich DEFINITION AND INCIDENCE Ascites is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The majority of patients with ascites have advanced liver disease—usually…
17. ANXIETY
CHAPTER 17. ANXIETY Debra E. Heidrich and Peg Esper DEFINITION AND INCIDENCE Anxiety is an experience of diffuse apprehension or uneasiness, often accompanied by feelings of uncertainty and helplessness and…
16. HIV/AIDS
CHAPTER 16. HIV/AIDS James C. Pace At the end of the year 2003 approximately 790,000 to 1.2 million Americans were living with human immune deficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and…
14. NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES
CHAPTER 14. NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES Debra E. Heidrich and Pamela Sue Spencer Several different neurological diseases are seen as primary, and sometime secondary, diagnoses in palliative care settings. This chapter discusses…
13. CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
CHAPTER 13. CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE Michael J. Germain and Debra E. Heidrich DEFINITIONS AND INCIDENCE Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as kidney damage or impaired renal function that persists…
12. HEPATIC DISEASE
CHAPTER 12. HEPATIC DISEASE Pamela Sue Spencer This chapter specifically highlights hepatic failure and discusses the crucial role that acetaminophen metabolism plays as a causative agent in toxic liver injury….
10. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
CHAPTER 10. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Carol L. Scot and Kim Anne Pickett OVERVIEW The cardiovascular (CV) system includes the heart and the blood vessels. These vessels include the arteries, veins, and…
11. PULMONARY DISEASE
CHAPTER 11. PULMONARY DISEASE Kim K. Kuebler and Rhalene Gabuat Patajo The increased prevalence of nonmalignant pulmonary disease is often underestimated because chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often underdiagnosed…
9. NUTRITION
CHAPTER 9. NUTRITION Suzanne W. Dixon The issue of nutrition support in the palliative care environment is controversial. Between the extremes of solely appetite-driven dietary intake and feeding aggressively with…
