Quick Reference to Critical Care

ANNOTATION

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

This important guide offers a quick response to the urgent questions critical care nurses ask themselves everyday. What began as the author's "little black book" for personal use in her own intensive care career has evolved into an essential guide for all critical care professionals. Well-organized and very current, the book serves as a down-to-earth basic reference for important facts and quick solutions. Information is presented in categories:by organ system:and arranged alphabetically for easy access. A comprehensive table of contents offers thorough coverage of every significant aspect of critical care. Blank space:provided for the user's own commentary:allows the reader to "customize" the book for personal use.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Developed to address the demand for a rapid-access guide for busy critical care nurses, Nancy Diepenbrock's "little black book" has evolved into a complete and practical basic reference to help you meet your daily challenges with confidence.

FROM THE CRITICS

Mary R. Perrecone

This is a concise and thorough guide, with content divided into chapters by organ system and reference base. A wealth of illustrations and tables are provided to assist in understanding concepts within critical care. According to the author, the purpose is to serve as a ""memory jogger"" when time is crucial, leaving detailed clinical information to an in-depth textbook. These worthy objectives are met. The author indicates this book is published for nurses, residents, and students. I feel that the novice to advanced practice nursing, as well as any healthcare professional in critical care, could benefit from the quick reference information provided. It is difficult to assess the author's credibility, though the title of intensive care staff nurse and national critical care certification enhances the author's authority. The major body systems are covered in Chapters 1 through 7 and topics are organized alphabetically within each chapter. The cardiovascular system chapter is extremely comprehensive. It includes the Allen's test, EKG interpretation parameters, and Swan-Ganz waveforms with algorithms for clinical decision making. The book is presented in an organized, easy-to-use format, with the addition of a host of anagrams, mnemonics, tables, and charts. Three additional chapters on Drugs & Doses, Conversions, Calculations & Compatibility and Lab Values have been included. Special features include extra space to add notes for institution specific protocols or personal reference. This is an essential quick reference that should be at the bedside in every critical care unit. I would highly recommend this reference for all novice critical care nurses as part of theirorientation. A simple, well organized, easy to reference format necessary in the critical care environment is provided.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Mary R. Perrecone, RN, MS, CCRN (Rush University College of Nursing)Description: This is a concise and thorough guide, with content divided into chapters by organ system and reference base. A wealth of illustrations and tables are provided to assist in understanding concepts within critical care. Purpose: According to the author, the purpose is to serve as a "memory jogger" when time is crucial, leaving detailed clinical information to an in-depth textbook. These worthy objectives are met. Audience: The author indicates this book is published for nurses, residents, and students. I feel that the novice to advanced practice nursing, as well as any healthcare professional in critical care, could benefit from the quick reference information provided. It is difficult to assess the author's credibility, though the title of intensive care staff nurse and national critical care certification enhances the author's authority. Features: The major body systems are covered in Chapters 1 through 7 and topics are organized alphabetically within each chapter. The cardiovascular system chapter is extremely comprehensive. It includes the Allen's test, EKG interpretation parameters, and Swan-Ganz waveforms with algorithms for clinical decision making. The book is presented in an organized, easy-to-use format, with the addition of a host of anagrams, mnemonics, tables, and charts. Three additional chapters on Drugs & Doses, Conversions, Calculations & Compatibility and Lab Values have been included. Special features include extra space to add notes for institution specific protocols or personal reference. Assessment: This is an essential quick reference that should be at the bedside in every critical care unit. I would highly recommend this reference for all novice critical care nurses as part of their orientation. A simple, well organized, easy to reference format necessary in the critical care environment is provided.

RATING