Chapter 16 LOGIC TREES FOR COMMON ADULT HEALTH PROBLEMS 1. Vfa. Corazon S. Maglaya and Araceli S. Maglaya INTRODUCTION For more than a decade. there has been a rapid increase in tl1e prevalence of non-communi cable diseases. particularly lifestyle-related health problems. W11elhcr in doctor-lesi-commun ities or in areas where prompt and effective entry inl~> lhc health care dclinry i-ystero is a prirua. r_v objec-th·e. lbe nurse has every av,iilable opportunity to ensure I. hat adull clients "ilh lifestyle-related hc;:ilth needs. concerns or problems can be prompt ly guided to sources of information. advice and managemen t appropriate to their particular complaints or situations. Sta. otlnrds of hea Jth and/or nursing care specillcd in assessment and management protocol,-c.. 111 enhance the nurse·s competence and confide. nee for independent practice and case m;;i na~eme. nt. These are effective. efficient and creative opt ions for improving access to quality c:1re "ith the increasing mmiber of patients in various pracl ice settings in the Philippines and the western world l. ike the U. S. A. and Europe. THE LOGIC TREES The use of the. Logic Trees \\-:1S introduced in Chapter 10. Varied sets of assessment nod management protocols have bee. n developed by the authors based on a long experience in J!<meral medical and e11isod. ic nursing prnctice in the community. Each protocol foc U. "-CS on a specific medical complaint or a set of signs and symptoms. A set of l. ogic Tn. cs for common signs and S)nlptorns or complaints,ire included in this chapter ai< examples for ours<: practitioner. s handling adult c. lient. 5 with lifestyle-related health need!-. et,nccni.-. or problem,;_ 388 