…major abdominal surgery, according to local practice. Enteral nutrition and drug administration when the patient cannot swallow safely, for example after a stroke. Sampling of…

…first. Procedure Choice of insertion site The left lower quadrant is the first choice : the abdominal wall is thinner there than on the right, and…

…technique but the handling of the specimen — an aspirate that clots before the smears are made is unusable, no matter how well the puncture went…

…should include: palpation of peripheral pulses; auscultation for carotid, femoral, and abdominal bruits; bilateral brachial blood pressure measurement; cardiac auscultation; inspection of the legs and…

…in particular that exceeds the patient's normal variation and requires a change of treatment. Common precipitants are viral infection, bacterial infection and air pollution…

…rigors, abdominal pain or a rapid deterioration in general condition may be the only signs of infection. Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive treatments can blunt the…

…Relative — avoid forced manoeuvres An ongoing respiratory infection with a risk of transmission Until symptom free Haemoptysis of unclear cause Until investigated Relative obstacles also…

…proton pump inhibitor with concomitant NSAID use or a history of ulcer, not routinely Infection Consider Pneumocystis prophylaxis with high doses over a long period…

…or a damaged nail fold edge Nail avulsion and inspection of the nail bed, with suture of any nail bed laceration Contraindications There are no…

…and it provides adequate opportunities for rhythm diagnostics, as well as detection of T waves and R waves. It is essential that T waves and…