Physiological Basis of Acute Care

The aim of this book is to simplify physiological principles in a logical manner and provide important and relevant content to help care providers better manage their acutely ill patients. First time learners as well as health care professionals needing a short refresher course in physiology will find simple, easy-to-understand, basic physiology that is relevant to both the student and the professional care provider. With a focus on the importance of good oxygen delivery as the basis of sustaining life, this book links the fabric of life together and enables readers to apply the principles of physiology to clinical problems and situations. Understanding why the patient has become unwell and how the patient may present, signs and symptoms of patient deterioration as well as the recommended management of these patients enables the care provider to prioritize care decisions relating to the needs of the acutely ill patient. Thus, care providers will be able to incorporate this new way of examining patients so that care which is often approached in a clinical manner, will now be physiologically driven.
• Chapters that link the management of life such as Basis of Life and Physiology of Death for frontline providers.

• Chapters covering important organ systems from airway to kidney, including energy, heat and acid-base balance.

• Special chapters on maternal-foetal, paediatrics, elderly and obesity.

• Clinical implication and application sections within each chapter for students to relate to clinical practice.

• Medical illustrations by Frank Netter, the foremost master of medical illustration.

• 58 fully coloured illustrations, diagrams and charts to enhance learning and understanding.

• Content reviewed by international and Malaysian academicians.

Table of Contents

1. What is Physiology? 2. Basis of Life 3. Oxygen Delivery to the Tissues 4. Physiology of the Airway 5. Process of Breathing 6. Cardiovascular Physiology 7. Haemoglobin and Blood 8. Central Nervous System 9. Renal Physiology 10. Physiology of the Liver 11. Heat Balance 12. Acid-Base Balance 13. Fluids and Electrolytes 14. Metabolism, Nutrition and Energy Balance 15. Pain Physiology 16. Physiology of Sepsis 17. Physiology of Obesity 18. Paediatric Physiology 19. Maternal and Foetal Physiology 20. Physiology of the Elderly 21. Physiology of Death Index