Foundations of Nursing - Book Review

AORN Journal,  Sept, 2003  by Deb Miller

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fourth edition Barbara L. Christensen and Elaine O. Kockrow 2003, 1,092 pp $49.95 paperback

The fourth edition of Foundations of Nursing was developed to provide practical and vocational nursing students with the knowledge required to care competently and safely for a wide variety of patients in different health environments. As the level of knowledge and skills in these environments increases, it is essential that a text such as this be available to meet the growing demands of this profession.

The book now has full-color illustrations, photographs, and designs, and it lists all the basic skill sets needed in the licensed practical and licensed vocational nursing curricula. This revised edition incorporates the most accurate, current, and clinically relevant information available.

Some of the areas covered in this book include historical, legal, and ethical aspects of nursing; the role of the licensed practical nurse and leadership; life span growth and development; death and dying; physical assessment; the nursing process and critical thinking; pain management; nutrition and fluid balance; medications; gerontological nursing; and community health. Two new chapters, "Complementary and alternative therapies" and "Care of the patient with an addictive personality" have been added. Basic nursing skills are illustrated throughout the text via drawings and photographs.

Chapters are designed for seamless flow of information anti competency management and assessment. Each chapter begins with a list of objectives and key terms. Key terms are in color the first time they appear and are followed by a page number so additional information can be located. New to this edition, phonetic spellings are provided for key terms to help student readers who have limited proficiency in English develop a broader command of the terminology.

Each chapter is organized in a specific format for more effective retention of information. With regard to disease processes, the chapters follow the same layout and provide an excellent pattern for learning. Etiology and pathophysiology are listed first. Clinical manifestations of the disease, assessment and diagnostic tools, medical management, nursing diagnoses and interventions, patient teaching, and prognosis fill out each chapter; thus, students learn about the nursing process in the required order and are able to comprehend the information in a logical sequence.

The text also has several special features that foster comprehension and aid the student in understanding how documentation is important to overall care of patients. Nursing care plans are developed around specific case studies and emphasize goals and outcomes of care. Clinical pathways encourage critical thinking skills, and cultural and ethical considerations teach students to understand and respect diversity among patients. Therapeutic dialogue focuses on communication through real-life examples of patient-nurse interactions.

Older-adult considerations and home-health considerations bring the challenges of caring for older or homebound patients into focus. Medication tables provide quick access to the indications, side effects, and dosages of commonly used medications.

At the end of the text are a very detailed glossary and a section on commonly used abbreviations that will help students compile nursing care plans and reinforce comprehensive skills. Throughout the book, shaded boxes highlight additional information relevant to a specific chapter, such as mechanisms important to acid-base balances, measuring blood glucose levels, and wound complications and healing. Bulleted lists of key points at the end of each chapter provide an excellent review for students.

This book will become an invaluable tool in classrooms and an excellent resource for student libraries. It is a wonderful compilation of nursing care.

This book is available from Mosby, The Curtis Center, 625 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3399, http://www.us elsevierhealth.com.

DEB MILLER

RN, BS, CNOR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PERIOPERATIVE SERVICES

GALESBURG COTTAGE HOSPITAL

GALESBURG, ILL

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group