A thorough overview of the principles of critical care is provided in this book. There are four sections. In Section One the focus is on basic nursing practice issues from a critical care perspective. Included in this section are chapters on pain management, nutrition, skin care, oral care, airway management, and sedation of the critically ill patient. In Section Two the primary monitoring techniques in intensive care settings are covered. In Section Three, key pathophysiologic entities and treatments in the critically ill are presented. In the final section the author covers principles of professionalism, stress management, the impact of change in the critical care environment, and nursing management. The purpose is to provide a comprehensive reference for experienced critical care nurses on topics relevant to their daily practice. Though the author assumes basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology in critical care, the book would be useful to beginning practitioners as well. To assist the novice critical care nurse, the author begins each chapter with several fundamental principles and an introductory section that is an overview of the key concepts in the chapter. At the conclusion of the didactic portion of each chapter, the author summarizes with five to 15 bullet points covering implications for clinical practice. Each chapter concludes with a case study followed by a series of clinical questions to assist the reader in applying the information gained. This text is appropriate for the stated audience: critical care nurses with limited clinical experience. It would also be valuable for nursing students in critical care. Several clinical controversiesand relevant clinical research are covered in each chapter. The focus in Part 1 is on the fundamental components of nursing practice. Too often this content is overlooked in critical care texts. Nursing research on suctioning, mouth care, eye care, skincare, pain management, fever regulation, and airway management is essential to daily care. In this section, the author addresses critical care issues across the lifespan with chapters on pediatric patients in the adult ICU and a chapter on care of the elderly. It was interesting to appreciate the universal nature of these issues. In the chapters on sedation and ethics, the author mentions that physical restraints are rarely used in the U.K. Nurses in the U.S. are grappling with the clinical dilemma of physical restraints, and further discussion on this topic would be helpful. In the sections on monitoring and pathophysiology, the author provides an overview of the major system disorders and the monitoring techniques in critical care. The information is current and a representation of relevant research. The challenge of sufficiently representing the body of knowledge on each topic is apparent in each chapter. The content provided is relevant but lacking in comprehensiveness; still the stated purpose of an overview is met. In the chapter on infection control, the common gram negative and gram-positive organisms are identified incorrectly. Ecstasy overdose is a rising problem in the U.S., and this makes this chapter especially useful. Principles of professionalism, stress management, and change theory are presented in the final section. These final chapters contain introductory content for the new practitioner on the stressful nature of ICU, strategies to manage the ICU, and coping with change successfully. This is an easy-to-read overview of critical care nursing. Nurses new to the critical care setting will find it to be a helpful resource.
For one of the most rapidly growing areas of healthcare, this text provides guidance on fundamental issues in bedside nursing, monitoring of intensive care unit patients, the pathophysiology and treatment of common and more specialized diseases, and practice development. Includes clinical scenarios, chapter exercises with an answer key, a glossary of terms from the "ABC of resuscitation" to "xenograft," and extensive, up-to-date references. Considered most useful for those in the first year of intensive care nursing careers. Woodrow is at Middlesex U., where he is responsible for intensive care nursing courses. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Reviewer: Lynn L. Cochran, MS, RN (Edward Hospital)
Description: A thorough overview of the principles of critical care is provided in this book. There are four sections. In Section One the focus is on basic nursing practice issues from a critical care perspective. Included in this section are chapters on pain management, nutrition, skin care, oral care, airway management, and sedation of the critically ill patient. In Section Two the primary monitoring techniques in intensive care settings are covered. In Section Three, key pathophysiologic entities and treatments in the critically ill are presented. In the final section the author covers principles of professionalism, stress management, the impact of change in the critical care environment, and nursing management.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide a comprehensive reference for experienced critical care nurses on topics relevant to their daily practice. Though the author assumes basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology in critical care, the book would be useful to beginning practitioners as well. To assist the novice critical care nurse, the author begins each chapter with several fundamental principles and an introductory section that is an overview of the key concepts in the chapter. At the conclusion of the didactic portion of each chapter, the author summarizes with five to 15 bullet points covering implications for clinical practice. Each chapter concludes with a case study followed by a series of clinical questions to assist the reader in applying the information gained.
Audience: This text is appropriate for the stated audience: critical care nurses with limited clinical experience. It would also be valuable for nursing students in critical care. Several clinical controversies and relevant clinical research are covered in each chapter.
Features: The focus in Part 1 is on the fundamental components of nursing practice. Too often this content is overlooked in critical care texts. Nursing research on suctioning, mouth care, eye care, skincare, pain management, fever regulation, and airway management is essential to daily care. In this section, the author addresses critical care issues across the lifespan with chapters on pediatric patients in the adult ICU and a chapter on care of the elderly. It was interesting to appreciate the universal nature of these issues. In the chapters on sedation and ethics, the author mentions that physical restraints are rarely used in the U.K. Nurses in the U.S. are grappling with the clinical dilemma of physical restraints, and further discussion on this topic would be helpful. In the sections on monitoring and pathophysiology, the author provides an overview of the major system disorders and the monitoring techniques in critical care. The information is current and a representation of relevant research. The challenge of sufficiently representing the body of knowledge on each topic is apparent in each chapter. The content provided is relevant but lacking in comprehensiveness; still the stated purpose of an overview is met. In the chapter on infection control, the common gram negative and gram-positive organisms are identified incorrectly. Ecstasy overdose is a rising problem in the U.S., and this makes this chapter especially useful. Principles of professionalism, stress management, and change theory are presented in the final section. These final chapters contain introductory content for the new practitioner on the stressful nature of ICU, strategies to manage the ICU, and coping with change successfully.
Assessment: This is an easy-to-read overview of critical care nursing. Nurses new to the critical care setting will find it to be a helpful resource.
'The book is user-friendly and easy to read as it is well organised and set out in a logical manner. Each chapter contains a list of further suggested reading if a more in-depth knowledge is required. There is also a set of clinical questions that assist in checking knowledge and understanding. The clinical questions are relevant and appropriate and help to highlight the key areas of the content of the chapter along with the implications for practice and the summary sections.' - Katherine Potts, Cardiac Specialist Nurse, North Bristol NHS Trust, Nursing Times
Praise for previous editions:
'This is the bible of all qualified nurses and those undertaking intensive care courses.' - Nursing Standard
'Will continue to be a market leader for registered nurses with 6-12 months ICU experience. Nurses with many years of ICU experience will also find this text an invaluable source of updating and ready reference... New chapters on psychological care, interpreting blood results and SARS reflect developments in practice since 2000. The updated clinical scenarios encourage readers to bring theory and practice together and the addition of website support ... is an excellent move.' - Ruth Endacott, La Trobe University, Australia and University of Plymouth, UK
‘Comprehensive, clear and clinically focused, this text is becoming a standard text for students undertaking critical care courses and as a reference book on the shelves of critical care units… I would advise all libraries and intensive care units to acquire a copy.’ – Journal of Advanced Nursing
'I’m impressed by the quality of writing, the accessibility of the chapters and the comprehensiveness of the book. Mr Woodrow has been very diligent in editing content which has become outdated and substituting it with new concepts, innovations and treatments that relate to advancing the art and science of intensive care nursing. I am also pleased that the evidence to support, guide and inform clinical practice has been expanded and strengthened. As before selected readings and case scenarios are helpful in developing knowledge base and in assisting practitioners in the application of theoretical principles into practice.' – John Albarran, Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England
'One of those rare textbooks that you could actually read for enjoyment! My edition is well thumbed and has proven to be invaluable when wanting to find the answer to a question quickly. The 'Time Out'sessions and clinical scenarios are particularly useful for the more junior staff, encouraging them to think laterally, relating the text to their clinical environment. With reflection being a major constituent of demonstrating competence, these exercises will help nurses to compile their professional and clinical portfolios. I recommend all acute ward areas to get a copy of this book for their bookshelves.' - Jacqueline Mandy Coggan, Clinical Educator for Critical Care, King's Mill Hospital, Sutton in Ashfield
'I would recommend this book to those wanting to refresh already established knowledge and practice within ICU nursing and those wishing to embark on a career in Critical Care. I believe this text serves as a valuable resource for the individual practitioner, on the shelves of any ICU and as a required/recommended text for Intensive Care nursing courses.' - Martin Christensen, Bournemouth University
