Aimed at all nurses, this key textbook equips them with the knowledge and skills required to care for the deteriorating patient in the clinical environment. The assessment, recognition and rapid escalation of the deteriorating patient is emphasized throughout the book. Using a unique system-based approach, each chapter contains structured learning outcomes and concludes with a competence-based skills assessment, which can be used to assess practice skills. These skills are recommended as essential for every nurse in an acute area and key to successful practice. Using real life case studies to link knowledge to actual practice and written by senior nurses for nurses, this book is an essential purchase for all nurses who work in acute care settings.