Guide for Readers of the Internet Version

Selected chapters in the book have been updated. For updated chapters, a date appears at the bottom of each topic in the chapter. In the list of Contributors, an asterisk indicates that the contributor participated in the update of that topic.

The Contents page lists all sections of the book. Chapters are numbered serially from the beginning to the end of the book. Each topic in a chapter is presented in its own page. In many cases, the Introduction topic provides general or overview information regarding the focus of the chapter. Navigation aids at the top of each page allow the reader to see all of the topics in the chapter, to link to the chapter list in the section, and to go to Contents page, the title page, the search page, or the Index.

Entries in the Index are hyperlink ed; page numbers in boldface type signify a major discussion of a topic. Tables and figures found throughout the text are referenced in the Index.

Abbreviations and symbols are used throughout the book as essential space savers. Other abbreviations in the text are expanded at their first use in the chapter or sub chapter.

Laboratory values in the book are given in conventional units. In most cases, however, SI units follow in parentheses.

Drugs are designated in the text mainly by generic (nonproprietary) names. In Appendix III, many of the drugs mentioned in the book are listed in a table alphabetically, with each generic term followed by one or more trade names. This table is followed by another table that provides an alphabetical list of many trade names followed by the drug's generic name.

Important: The authors, reviewers, and editors of this book have made extensive efforts to ensure that treatments, drugs, and dosage regimens are accurate and conform to the standards accepted at the time of publication. However, constant changes in information resulting from continuing research and clinical experience, reasonable differences in opinions among authorities, unique aspects of individual clinical situations, and the possibility of human error in preparing such an extensive text require that the reader exercise individual judgment when making a clinical decision and, if necessary, consult and compare information from other sources. In particular, the reader is advised to check the product information provided by the manufacturer of a drug product before prescribing or administering it, especially if the drug is unfamiliar or is used infrequently.

This topic was last updated May 2005.