The guidelines in Practice Guidelines for Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2nd edition, are presented in outline form. They were developed to provide a quick clinical reference and to aid in a uniform quality of care for advance practice nurses, residents, interns, physician assistants, midwives, those doing telephone triage, and students who care for women.
Part I is an overview of well woman care throughout the life cycle. It outlines basic care in obstetrics as well as gynecology, and contains history-taking information, physical exam procedures, lab work recommendations, and teaching information needed for both situations. Included in this section are discussions of screening tests, contraceptive methods, preconceptual counseling, the initial prenatal visit, and return prenatal visits. For nurse-midwives and other practitioners who will be attending deliveries, guidelines for intrapartum and postpartum care are included. Part I concludes with a description of perimenopause, menopause, hormone replacement therapy, and Kegel exercises.
Part II features common discomforts of pregnancy. These discomforts have been organized alphabetically in a convenient table format for quick reference. The table includes etiologies, differential diagnoses, relief measures, and danger signs.
Part III is a discussion of abuse, domestic violence, and sexual coercion or assault, which may apply to a significant number of patients. This section describes how to recognize and treat a patient who has been abused.
Parts IV and V were difficult to separate. Both are concerned with the management of common problems and procedures; Part IV describes common gynecologic issues, while Part V focuses on obstetric issues. Most topics begin with a definition of the condition, followed by its etiology, clinical features (including history, signs, and symptoms), and management. Within Part IV, if management of the patient is different during pregnancy, that information appears in Part V. The topics in these sections are listed in alphabetic order for ease of reference.
Part VI is concerned with complementary and alternative therapies. An overview presents various therapies used in women's health and wellness. The remainder of Part VI discusses herbal therapies that are growing in popularity and have been used by more than one in three Americans this year as an adjunct or alternative to other medical therapies.
Part VII is a concise review of drugs referred to in the book and commonly used in women's health care. The drugs suggested in this book for the treatment of various conditions are recommended in the medical literature and conform to accepted medical practice. Because the type and dosage of therapeutic regimens often change, it is recommended that practitioners check updated literature and package inserts for revised recommendations. The drug index specifies dosages, pregnancy category classifications, indications, adverse reactions, drug interactions, precautions, and the form in which the drug is supplied.
Part VIII describes topical agents, including adrenocorticoids, anesthetics, antibiotics, antifungals, antipsoriatics, antiseborrheics, antivirals, emollients, keratolytics, lotions and solutions, and pediculicides and scabicides. The information is presented in an alphabetized table that specifies recommended dosages and other considerations.