Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

collect concise presentations of related informa-
tion for easy reference.
Each type of entry (mid-length and longer)
incorporates consistent elements, identified by
standardized subheadings:

• Entries for health conditions and diseasesbegin
  with a general discussion of the condition and
  its known or possible causes and then incorpo-
  rate content under the subheadings “Symptoms
  and Diagnostic Path,” “Treatment Options and
  Outlook,” and “Risk Factors and Preventive
  Measures.”


• Entries for surgery operationsbegin with a gen-
  eral discussion of the procedure and then incor-
  porate content under the subheadings “Surgical
  Procedure,” “Risks and Complications,” and
  “Outlook and Lifestyle Modifications.”


• Entries for medication classificationsbegin with
  a general discussion of the type of medication
  and its common uses and then incorporate con-
  tent under the subheadings “How These Med-
  ications Work,” “Therapeutic Applications,” and
  “Risks and Side Effects.”
  
  
  • Entries for diagnostic proceduresbegin with a
    general discussion of the test or procedure and
    then incorporate content under the subhead-
    ings “Reasons for Doing This Test,” “Prepara-
    tion, Procedure, and Recovery,” and “Risks and
    Complications.”
  
  
  
  

Entries in Volume 4’s section “Emergency and

First Aid” are unique within the orientation of The

Facts On File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicinein

that they feature instructional rather than infor-

mational content. These entries do notreplace

appropriate training in emergency response

and first aid methods. Rather, these entries pro-

vide brief directives that are appropriate for guid-

ing the actions of a person with little or no first aid

training who is first on the scene of an emergency.

Each volume concludes with a complete, full

index for the sections and entries within the vol-

ume. Volume 4 of The Facts On File Encyclopedia of

Medicine contains a comprehensive index for all

four encyclopedia volumes that researchers can

use to quickly and easily determine which vol-

umes contain desired sections or entries.

How to Use xi