These revised Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nurses in Primary Care contain information on common health problems and common emergency conditions seen in the adult population. The reviewers have attempted to update the material using an evidence-based approach.

The guidelines consist of 15 sections. Each one includes an assessment (history and physical examination) of the body system in question, along with clinical practice guidelines on common disease entities and emergency situations seen in that system.

The Nurses' Drug Classification System has been incorporated into the drug treatments outlined in the text:

A class drugs are those that a nurse is authorized to prescribe independently.

B class drugs are drugs that may be prescribed only by a physician.

C class drugs are drugs that a nurse may prescribe for one course of treatment.

D class drugs are drugs that a nurse may administer for one dose only, in an emergency situation; any subsequent doses must be authorized by a physician.

Acknowledgments

The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch wishes to acknowledge the assistance provided by the following people in revising these clinical practice guidelines:

Dr. Siobhan Callaghan, MD, CCFP (family practice consultant)

Carol Sargo, RN(EC), Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (nursing consultant)

Karen Hindle, RNE, Saskatchewan Region

Pauline David, RNE, British Columbia Region

Dorothy Rutledge, RNE, Alberta Region

Marilyn Heinrichs, RNE, Manitoba Region

Carole Martin, RNE, Quebec Region

Karen McColgan, Manitoba Region

Daunett Tucker, RNE, Ontario Region

Preface

These Clinical Practice Guidelines are intended primarily for use by qualified and licensed nurses working in nursing stations and treatment health centers located in semi-isolated and isolated First Nations and Inuit communities.

It is important to note that the guidelines contain useful information but are not intended to be exhaustive. Consequently, the manual is to be used for reference and educational purposes only and should not be used under any circumstances as a substitute for clinical judgment, independent research or the seeking of appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Appropriate medical advice is to be obtained by telephone in cases where the condition of the client is at all serious or in cases where the condition of the client is beyond the scope of practice and expertise of the nurse to manage autonomously.

Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in the guidelines is accurate and reflective of existing healthcare standards, it should be understood that the field of medical science is in constant evolution. Consequently, the reader is encouraged to consult other publications or manuals. In particular, all drug dosages, indications, contraindications and possible side effects should be verified and confirmed by use of the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS) or the manufacturer's drug insert.

Finally, it should be noted that the information in the guidelines may have been superseded by a local policy or other guideline particular to a region or zone or by a common local medical practice. The reader is encouraged to verify as to the existence of these alternative sources of information.

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	Last Updated: 2005-03-17		Important Notices

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nurses in Primary Care

Contents

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Preface