Pocket Guide to Gerontologic Assessment

ANNOTATION

The book contains predominantly black-and-white illustrations, with some two-color illustrations.

FROM THE CRITICS

Marquis D. Foreman

This is the third edition of a book ""designed andwritten to serve as a practical guide for nurses assessing the healthstatus of older adults in a variety of traditional and nontraditionalsettings."" The purpose of this edition is to provide up-to-dateinformation to ""guide the nurse in the performance of a basic,comprehensive health assessment of all body systems."" The impliedaudience is any and all nurses caring for older persons. It would alsobe a useful resource for health professional faculty and students. Although the author limits the target audience to nurses, other healthcare professionals (physical therapists, occupational therapists, andsocial workers) could benefit from this resource. This editionconsists of 17 chapters and four appendixes. Twelve of these chaptersfocus on specific body systems and are organized similarly: anatomy andphysiology of the system, followed by a step-by-step approach to theassessment with a listing of normal findings provided. In addition,abnormal findings are provided in blue print, a feature whichfacilitates the rapid identification of deviations. Thisgerontological assessment reference is an excellent guide for healthcare professionals caring for older adults. This new edition addscontent on nutritional assessment; a sample health history and physicalto serve as a guide to improve documentation; older adult laboratoryvalues; the AHCPR guidelines for managing acute and chronic urinaryincontinence; and materials for predicting and preventing pressureulcers. Use of this book could only serve to improve gerontologicalassessment, and, therefore, the healthcare provided to olderadults.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Marquis D. Foreman, PhD, RN, FAAN (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing)Description: This is the third edition of a book "designed and written to serve as a practical guide for nurses assessing the health status of older adults in a variety of traditional and nontraditional settings." Purpose: The purpose of this edition is to provide up-to-date information to "guide the nurse in the performance of a basic, comprehensive health assessment of all body systems." Audience: The implied audience is any and all nurses caring for older persons. It would also be a useful resource for health professional faculty and students. Although the author limits the target audience to nurses, other health care professionals (physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers) could benefit from this resource. Features: This edition consists of 17 chapters and four appendixes. Twelve of these chapters focus on specific body systems and are organized similarly: anatomy and physiology of the system, followed by a step-by-step approach to the assessment with a listing of normal findings provided. In addition, abnormal findings are provided in blue print, a feature which facilitates the rapid identification of deviations. Assessment: This gerontological assessment reference is an excellent guide for health care professionals caring for older adults. This new edition adds content on nutritional assessment; a sample health history and physical to serve as a guide to improve documentation; older adult laboratory values; the AHCPR guidelines for managing acute and chronic urinary incontinence; and materials for predicting and preventing pressure ulcers. Use of this book could only serve to improve gerontological assessment, and, therefore, the healthcare provided to older adults.

RATING

3 Stars from Doody

ACCREDITATION

Lueckenotte, Annette G., MS, RN, CS (Alexian Brothers Senior Health Center, St Louis, MO)