Fully revised according to up-to-date clinical guidance, this second edition provides a practical, accessible guide to emergency situations encountered in the practice of supportive and palliative care. Designed for rapid use, it addresses the immediate clinical challenges while more definitive measures are being put in place.

Professor David Currow is a physician and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainable Futures) at the University of Wollongong. He is a widely published researcher focussing on generating a stronger evidence base for symptom control, understanding the population prevalence of key symptoms and their impacts, and health services research.
Katherine Clark (MBBS MMed PhD FRACP FAChPM) is a palliative medicine specialist and the current clinical director of supportive and palliative care in Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSW, Australia). Most recently, she has been appointed as senior clinical advisor in palliative care to the NSW Ministry of Health.
Paul Kleinig is a palliative care physician and general physician in Adelaide, South Australia. His professional passion is the stewardship and mentorship of students and young health professionals towards clinical excellence through role-modelling, teaching, and professional assessment.

• Section 1 Frequently encountered symptoms


• 1: Frequently encountered symptoms


• Section 2 Specific clinical presentations


• 2: Clinical pharmacology


• 3: Dermatological problems


• 4: Cardiovascular problems


• 5: Respiratory problems


• 6: Gastrointestinal disorders


• 7: Haematological disorders


• 8: Renal and metabolic disorders


• 9: Endocrine problems


• 10: Neurology


• 11: Mental health


• 12: Orthopaedic disorders


• 13: Genito-urological disorders


• Appendix 1: Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Scale (AKPS)


• Appendix 2: The LANSS pain scale: Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs


• Appendix 3: Glasgow coma score