Critical care units are high-risk areas which contribute to increased health care costs and increased patient morbidity and mortality. Patients in critical care units are commonly confronted with existing and the potential to develop infections. Critical care practitioners play a crucial role as initial providers to critically ill patients with infections through the delivery of timely and appropriate therapies aimed to prevent and treat patient infections. The responsibility of critical care practitioners include prudent delivery of care to treat current infections as well as ensuring the delivery of care does not increase the development of new infections. Aggressive infection control measures are needed to reduce infections in critical care settings. Dissemination of scholarly work on the topic of infection in critically ill patients can play a role in improving patient outcomes. The information provided on infections in this issue of Critical Care Nursing Clinics promotes the dissemination of current literature on a series of timely and relevant infection topics in critical care environments.

Dr. Goldsworthy has created a state-of-the-art issue that emphasizes the nurse's role in mechanical ventilation. Pertinent clinical topics include the following: basics of mechanical ventilation for nurses; current modes for mechanical ventilation; best practices for managing pain, sedation, and delirium in the mechanically ventilated patient; mobilization of and optimal oxygenation for the mechanicaly ventilated patient; managing complications; and effective weaning strategies. Authors also address mechanical ventilation in both children and neonates. The current content in this issue will leave nurses with the clinical information they need to effectively manage mechanically ventilated patients.

Taking a structured approach that maps to the 'ABCDE' method of patient assessment, the book provides a one-stop-shop for nursing students that shows how to plan care for the acutely ill adult. The use of case studies and activities bring the book to life with clear and simple explanations of the relevant anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology helping to build a deeper understanding of acute illness and disrupted homeostasis. Key features: Adopts a patient-centred approach that considers the full context of care, the patient's own view and psycho-social needs Blends the underlying science of health and illness with practical application Contains activities, case studies, illustrations and figures to support a wide range of learning styles

This narrative-based work is the first to describe Human Caring Literacy from the perspective of caring scientists who "live the life" by incorporating the precepts of human caring into every aspect of their personal and professional lives. It demonstrates, for nursing students and experienced nurses in a variety of roles, the abundant ways in which Caring Science Theory powerfully informs the lives of frontline clinicians, nursing deans and faculty, APRNs, and administrators in the United States and globally. The book goes beyond theory to illustrate how Caring Science is used every day in a variety of arenas and scenarios, ranging from the advancement of the discipline of nursing in South America to peacemaking in the Middle East. It describes the methods that help practitioners develop mindfulness, reflection, authentic presence, intentionality, and a caring consciousness in the service of providing authentic, heart-centered care for patients, their families, and societies. Designed to cultivate loving-kindness behaviors in all settings, including among nurses themselves, these narratives provide welcome alternatives to current ways of being, both professional and personal. Provides Examples of Caring Science Theory as a Guide to: *Advancing professional nursing practice in South America *Transcending politics and conflict in the Middle East *Evolving global caring consciousness through online education *Developing nursing leaders who are heart-centered and intentional *Exploring relationships between caring and Ubuntu in South Africa *Teaching through simulation to promote humanistic practice Key Features: *Provides real examples of living the theory *Demonstrates the use of Caring Science in leadership, practice, research, the healing arts, education, and praxis *Illustrates practices that develop mindfulness, reflection, authentic presence, intentionality, and a caring consciousness *Provides evidence of an evolving global caring consciousness on five continents

Delivers all information required for mandatory Theoretical Foundations of Nursing course in one book By embracing the major conceptual and theoretical contributions to nursing research that are outside of ""traditional"" nursing theory, this is an vital resource for nurse researchers, and one that is indispensible for doctoral nursing students embarking on their dissertations. Containing the full complement of information required for the mandatory Theoretical Foundations of Nursing course for PhD programs, this text disseminates the foundational skills needed for excellence in research and scholarship. The book examines in-depth the components of nursing theory and the types and uses of theory in nursing research and practice, and teaches students about the nature and use of concepts, how to think critically, and ""ways of thinking"" that are essential for nursing research. This text contains information for developing concepts and mid-range theory, using a variety of qualitative research methods, developing theoretical scope by linking mid-range theories, and moving knowledge towards certainty and evidence. It also illustrates the construction of frameworks for quantitative inquiry, exploring theory in mixed-method design, and how theory develops knowledge. Each method includes a description of the methodological approach and examples of subsequent concept or theory development. The text includes several methods for the development of concepts, micro- and mid-range theories using qualitative research, and the new trend towards moving these qualitative theories to practice-based evidence. Each section of the book contains pragmatic examples and supplementary activities that encourage inquiry. An Instructors Manual facilitates the teaching of content to enhance student learning. Key Features: Teaches the significance of and foundations of Perspective, Concepts, Qualitatively-Derived Theory, Quantitative Frameworks, Quantitative Theoretical Development, Knowledge Development from Research, Application, and Evidence Focuses on current nursing research and how it is used in practice today Demonstrates the significant relationship between theory, research, knowledge development, evidence and practice Promotes excellence in scholarship and research Includes extensive Instructor's Manual to facilitate teaching of content.

This innovative book for Neonatal Nurses and NICU clinicians provides evidence-based clinical guidelines proven to mitigate and reduce the often profound trauma experience and subsequent developmental challenges for vulnerable hospitalized infants and their families. Each in-depth guideline includes the latest scientific research explaining the clinical rationale for the recommended practices, associated short-term and long-term outcomes, and implementation strategies to support practice improvement. The text reflects a trend - the provision of trauma-informed care in the neonatal intensive care unit - that has recently gained increasing momentum. With endorsements by respected transdisciplinary neonatal clinicians, it provides guidelines that encompass the five core measures for age-appropriate care, including the Healing Environment, Pain and Stress, Protected Sleep, Activities for Daily Living, Age-Appropriate Infant Guided Feeding, and Family-Integrated Care. The book also features downloadable sample competencies and parent teaching guides, along with additional eLearning modules with Nursing CE. A self-assessment checklist and teaching sheets, sample competencies, and sample algorithms add to the book's utility. Key Features:Provides clinically relevant, evidence-based practice guidelines for minimising trauma in neonates.Encompasses the five core measures for age-appropriate care.Includes proven implementation strategies to facilitate practice transformation.Offers downloadable sample competencies and parent teaching guides and eLearning modules with Nursing CE.Reviewed and endorsed by transdisciplinary neonatal clinicians.

The first book to address nurses' collective reintegration experiences following deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan Based on candid interviews with 35 nurses who were deployed for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this is the first book to reveal the stresses and moral dilemmas they experienced as they transitioned back into everyday life. The nurses share their difficulties with family separation, clinical reassignments, PTSD, the perceived stigma of seeking mental health counseling, and compassion fatigue. They describe how doing nursing in a war zone changed them personally, expanded their nursing skills, and how reintegration was more difficult than anticipated. In addition to serving as a personal account of the experiences - both individual and collective - of these military nurses, the book will serve researchers as a compelling example of qualitative, phenomenological, and descriptive research. Interviewees describe in vivid detail their homecoming, family adjustments, renegotiating of spousal and parenting roles, domestic and workplace challenges, and many other dilemmas posed by the reintegration process. They provide insights and thoughtful recommendations for changes to current military debriefing that are likely to improve the experiences of future wartime nurses. Encompassing all three branches of the military, the book also examines the differences between active duty services and reserve unit services, issues of substance abuse, the VA administration, the burden of multiple deployments, and other common threads for nurses who served in the Mideast battlegrounds. Key Features: Provides vivid narrative accounts of nurses' reintegration experiences Delivers the first research study of nursing reintegration, which included Army, Navy, and Air Force Nurse Corps officers following deployment in the Iraqi and Afghani conflicts Demonstrates how a comprehensive qualitative nursing research study can be crafted into a highly accessible, compelling account Explores the personal and professional paths of 35 nurses returning from war Addresses the reintegration differences between active duty versus reserve status

Integrates the perspectives of contemporary nurse leaders to foster an innovative, collaborative future Encompassing the wisdom of both established and emerging nurse leaders, this expansive book demonstrates proof of theory in action and the influence of our great nursing legacy on today's luminaries as they carve out new terrain to benefit current and future health care needs. With a far-reaching, ambitious perspective, it is the first text to link the ideas of nurse leaders from very diverse specialty areas including holism, advanced practice, education, policy, global health, journalism, and spiritual communities. The book examines the professional and scholarly accomplishments of these nurse leaders within an historical context, and facilitates succession planning for the next generation through of combination of outcomes-based writing, storytelling and personal reflection. Dozens of expert contributors from practice and theory arenas describe how to develop leadership skills and tactics through the implementation of local, national, and international initiatives. With an eye to creative evolution in education, research and clinical settings, they discuss how emerging nurse leaders can be agents of change - beyond the confines of traditional practice and curricula - through innovation and collaboration. Contributors also relate the circumstances and experiences that sparked their nursing passions, the moral/ethical foundation from which they practice, and inspired messages toward communal, societal, and global impact within nursing of the future. Each chapter author follows a template to ensure continuity and includes end-of-chapter reflection questions. Key Features: Distills the perspectives of current and emerging nurse leaders from a diverse array of specialty areas to unify the collective of nursing Redefines praxis possibilities in education, research, and practice Outlines contributing nurse leaders practical and scholarly accomplishments Describes how to facilitate change through innovation and collaboration Teaches the development of leadership skills and tactics

"I would recommend this book to my peers and I would use it in my day-to-day work. It is most helpful to have a comprehensive guide that can be used in a variety of care settings and by many different healthcare providers."--Doody's Medical Reviews

Evidence-based research underscores the importance of breastfeeding for the healthy development of late preterm infants, yet significant challenges can impede its success. This is a groundbreaking, problem-solving guide to the most effective techniques for breastfeeding this vulnerable population. Written for lactation consultants, NICU nurses, obstetrical nurses, and nurse-midwives, the book offers clear, simple, evidence-based solutions to the distinct breastfeeding difficulties affecting late preterm infants.

The guide describes the characteristics of late preterm infants and the physiological challenges-often invisible and overlooked by health care providers-caused by disturbances of respiratory, metabolic, neurologic, and immunologic functions. These problems are often exacerbated by poor breastfeeding and result in 13% of hospital readmissions by late preterm infants. The book examines maternal conditions that affect breastfeeding success and provides detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for the most effective breastfeeding techniques. It describes specific strategies health care professionals can take to overcome breastfeeding difficulties, including proper positioning and latch technique, the use of breast pumps and other helpful equipment, supplemental feedings, and more. Pictures that illustrate correct procedures clarify specific techniques, and user-friendly patient teaching guides further encourage successful breastfeeding. The book also supports the goals of many hospitals seeking to achieve Baby-Friendly Status, as well as the goals of the Multidisciplinary Guidelines for Care of Late Preterm Infants recently issued by the National Perinatal Association. Key Features:

Comprises the only comprehensive guide specific to the breastfeeding issues of late preterm infants Describes developmental challenges faced by late preterm infants Provides detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for breastfeeding and techniques for overcoming difficulties Offers clear, simple, evidence-based solutions that nurses, lactation consultants, and midwives can offer to mothers Supports the goals of hospitals seeking Baby-Friendly Status

This issue of Critical Care Nursing Clinics, Guest Edited by Bobbi Leeper, MN, RN, CNS M-S, CCRN, at Baylor University Medical Center, provides review of Cardiac topics for the practicing nurse. Article topics include: Spectrum of Acute Coronary Syndromes; Mechanical Complications of AMI; Glucose Control in the Cardiovascular Patient; Pulmonary Hypertension; Pulmonary Problems in the Patient with Cardiovascular Disease; Stroke Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery; Surgery on Thoracic Aorta; Heart Valve Surgery; Complications of Cardiac Surgery; Electrolyte Disorders in the Cardiac Patient; and Cardiogenic Shock.

2011 AJN Book of the Year Winner in Critical Care--Emergency Nursing

" This book is] a lavishly detailed guide to the essence of becoming an expert nurse...I believe this book will secure a place on most educators' and expert clinicians' bookshelves. Every once in a while a better book comes along; this is one of those times."

From the foreword by Joan E. Lynaugh, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

A classic research-based text in nursing practice and education, this newly revised second edition explains, through first-hand accounts of the hard-earned experiential wisdom of expert nurses, the clinical reasoning skills necessary for top-tier nursing in acute and critical settings. It provides not only the most current knowledge and practice innovations, but also reflects the authors' vast experience using the first edition in practice and educational settings.

This updated edition includes new interviews from acute care, critical care, perioperative nurses, and more. Attention is paid to current IOM and nursing guidelines for systems approaches to patient safety, with education and leadership implications described throughout. It is an essential resource for undergraduate and graduate nursing educators, students, administrators, and managers seeking to improve systems of care and leadership in clinical practice.

Key Features

Articulates major areas of knowledge and skill in acute, critical care, and perioperative nursing practice Provides vivid, first-hand accounts of hard-earned wisdom that facilitate clinical imagination, reflection, and lifelong learning Assists faculty, educators, APNs, and mentors in teaching nurses how to recognize recurring clinical syndromes and patterns Bridges the gap from theory to practice in dynamic patient care situations Embraces the complexity of caring for the critically ill and their families

This issue of Critical Care Nursing Clinics, guest edited by Stephen Krau, PhD, RN, on the topic of Diagnostic Testing will include the following article subjects: Overview of Diagnostic Testing; Electrodiagnostic Testing; Endoscopic Studies; Bronchoscopy Studies; Radiographic Studies; Angiography; Nuclear Scanning Studies; Intravenous Pyleogram;? Manometric Studies; Ultrasound Studies; Urine Tests; Stool Tests; and Centesis Studies.

This Neuroscience nursing issue, Guest Edited by Anne W. Alexandrov, focuses on: use of acute care Nurse Practitioners in neuroscience critical care; Post-graduate advances practice neurovascular fellowship education and training; NET SMART; management of Traumatic Brain Injury; management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; management of Hyperacute Ischemic Stroke; Telestroke Systems; Antiplatelet Therapy' Migraine and Intracardiac Right to Left Shunt; Weight agreement in Ischemic Stroke Treatment; Inflammatory biomarkers for Ischemic Stroke; and glycemic control in neurovascular disease.

Part of the popular Saunders Nursing Survival Guide series, this book prepares you to manage the most common health care problems you'll see in critical care, trauma, or emergency settings. Each chapter is organized from the most immediate and life-threatening conditions to less emergent critical care conditions. Its lighthearted, cartoon-filled approach simplifies difficult concepts, covering each body system in terms of current practice standards. Consistent headings break content into four succinct areas of review: What (subject) IS, What You NEED TO KNOW, What You DO, and Do You UNDERSTAND? Clinical terms and shorthand expressions are highlighted, exposing you to terminology used in the hospital setting. A color insert illustrates concepts and principles of critical care and emergency nursing, including various complications Mnemonic devices aid your memory and interactive activities help you learn, with exercises including fill in the blank, matching, word jumbles, true/false, and crossword puzzles. Special icons help you focus on vital information: Take Home Points help you prepare for clinical rotations. Caution notes alert you to dangerous conditions and how to avoid them. Lifespan notes point out age-related variations in signs and symptoms, nursing interventions, and patient teaching. Culture notes cite possible variations related to a patient's cultural background. Web links direct you to Internet resources for additional research and study. What You WILL LEARN learning objectives help you identify quickly the content covered and goals for each chapter. NCLEX"Y examination-style review questions at the end of each chapter allow you to test your understanding of content and practice for the Boards. Cartoon characters with brief captions help to better explain difficult concepts. Margin notes are streamlined for ease of use and effectiveness. Content updates reflect current practice and emergent situations, including increased focus on disaster preparedness, code management, updated ACLS guidelines, and hypertension.

Level 2 (highly dependent) patients are nursed in a variety of clinical areas. High Dependency Nursing Care has been written for pre qualified and post qualified students undertaking modules and placements to prepare them for nursing the acutely ill and nurses caring for these patients. Written by a team of nurses experienced in providing, supporting and developing high dependency care, it discusses practical issues and explores the current evidence base for clinical practice.

This essential textbook covers the context of care with chapters on fundamental aspects, such as sleep, nutrition, pain management and stress. It goes on to look at the main causes of critical illness and the treatments often given, as well as the skills necessary for monitoring patients. Completely updated throughout, this second edition also includes new chapters on infection control, heart failure, tissue removal and transferring the sicker patient.

High Dependency Nursing Care is:

Comprehensive: it covers all the key areas of knowledge needed

User-friendly: it includes learning outcomes, introductions, time out exercises, implications for practice, useful websites and up-to-date references

Clearly written: by a team of experienced nurses

Practically based: clinical scenarios provide stimulating discussion and revision topics

Level 2 (highly dependent) patients are nursed in a variety of clinical areas. High Dependency Nursing Care has been written for pre qualified and post qualified students undertaking modules and placements to prepare them for nursing the acutely ill and nurses caring for these patients. Written by a team of nurses experienced in providing, supporting and developing high dependency care, it discusses practical issues and explores the current evidence base for clinical practice.

This essential textbook covers the context of care with chapters on fundamental aspects, such as sleep, nutrition, pain management and stress. It goes on to look at the main causes of critical illness and the treatments often given, as well as the skills necessary for monitoring patients. Completely updated throughout, this second edition also includes new chapters on infection control, heart failure, tissue removal and transferring the sicker patient.

High Dependency Nursing Care is:

Comprehensive: it covers all the key areas of knowledge needed

User-friendly: it includes learning outcomes, introductions, time out exercises, implications for practice, useful websites and up-to-date references

Clearly written: by a team of experienced nurses

Practically based: clinical scenarios provide stimulating discussion and revision topics

A leader in neonatal critical care nursing, Terese Verklan devotes two back-to-back issues on the topic. In this first issue, readers can expect articles from top experts on global infant mortality/morbidity, the care of extremely low birth-weight infants, Hyperbilirubinemia, genetics, cardiac and respiratory care, pharmacology, and more.

The most up-to-date study guide for CCRN board certification Prepare for the CCRN exam with the most up-to-date study guide available. CCRN Review offers hundreds of review questions that target the test's most important question types, and includes four full-length practice tests. Organized to help you make the most of your study time, it covers all of the fundamental concepts tested on the exam. You will find strategies for handling questions based on real-world patient scenarios, help with essential math concepts, and extensive tips for performing your best on exam day. CCRN Review will help get you exam-day ready with: 4 full-length practice tests that reflect the most recent version of the exam 500 review questions targeting the most important question types Complete coverage of the exam's two core subjects: Clinical Judgment and Professional Caring & Ethical Practice Strategies for answering questions based on real-world patient scenarios Thorough review of essential math concepts essential to the CCRN exam Techniques for success on Professional Caring & Ethical Practice questions Shortcuts to help you save time and minimize mistakes Tools to help you approach specific question types in the most effective way

Treating the Critically Ill Patient is a practical guide to recognising and treating acutely ill patients at risk of further deterioration. It includes early warning scoring systems to identify patients at risk on the ward, identifies the key priorities for care, and equips students and newly qualified staff with the clinical skills necessary to prevent further deterioration and to provide prompt and effective care.
Each chapter follows a standard layout, and includes bullet points and illustrations making this book an accessible and practical guide to critical care. Treating the Critically Ill Patient provides an essential companion to Monitoring the Critically Ill Patient.
* Evidence-based guide to care of the critically ill patient
* Includes step-by-step clinical guidelines and real-life scenarios
* Identifies the key priorities for care

Acute and Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialists: Best Practices presents the knowledge and tools the CNS needs to provide the best standards of practice and performance. It focuses on the role of the CNS in acute and critical care, emphasizing the relationship between critical care nursing, the patient, and the environment of care. Divided into 3 main sections, the framework of the book is based on the Scope and Standards of Practice for the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Acute and Critical Care and the AACN's synergy model. This book delivers up-to-date information for today's health care along with practical tools for the CNS in acute and critical care settings. Provides a current guide for the CNS' role in acute and critical care for the most up-to-date information. Reader-friendly presentation of information provides an easy reference that can be used in day-to-day practice. Discussion questions based on the CCNS blueprint assist in review for the certification examination, making this book a seminal reference for nurses taking the CCNS certification examination. Case studies present applied learning of the acute and critical care setting to prepare the reader for real-life situations.

Through observations in three intensive care units, this book draws on the reality of practice to explore how nurses and doctors work in intensive care settings. It examines:
the power held by the competing knowledge bases
the roles of the different professions
the decision-making process
the sources of conflict
the need for change.
Drawing together sociological theories and clinical practice, Power and Conflict Between Doctors and Nurses explores the role of nurses in delivering contemporary health care. It makes a strong case for interdisciplinary working and is particularly timely when health care policy is challenging work boundaries in health care.

Translates an American "bible" of family practice for use by Canadian health care student and providers. Written specifically for the needs of family and adult nursing students, medical students, and primary care practitioners in Canada, this "bible" of family practice in America-named a 2013 Doody's core title-now provides current Canadian practice protocols for professional standards of care across the lifespan. Guidelines are delivered in user-friendly, step-by-step instructional style for physical exams and diagnostic testing results in SI units; health maintenance recommendations approved by Health Canada; care guidelines including Canadian drug names and dietary information; information on culturally responsive care; and patient resources specific to Canada. Practice guidelines are organized primarily by body system, consistently delivered in outline format for quick and easy access. Each of more than 280 disorder protocols includes definition, incidence, pathogenesis, predisposing factors, common complaints, other signs and symptoms, subjective data, PE, diagnostic texts, differential diagnoses, plan, follow-up, consultation/referral, and individual considerations. Of particular value are "Practice Pointers" highlighting vital information for each disorder and specialty care points for lifespan populations. Also included are 18 Basic Procedure Guidelines for use in the clinical setting and 138 Patient Teaching Sheets in print and PDF version. Additionally, Patient Teaching Guides are available for customization and downloading. Abundant references are specific to the Canadian health care system. Key Features: Translates an American "bible" of family practice for the specific needs of Canadian students and practitioners Presents over 280 disorders guidelines in consistent outline format Provides Canadian routine health maintenance guidelines, vaccinations, and screening for HIV and HepC Highlights critical care points with "Practice Pointers" Covers individual care considerations for pediatric, pregnant, and geriatric patients Offers 138 Patient Teaching Sheets in digital format for patient take home Delivers 18 procedure guidelines including those for special diets, normal lab values in SI units, and teeth Purchase includes access to the ebook for use on most mobile devices or computers

Reading this book will make you a more effective, prolific author of scholarship! This book will help increase your contributions to scholarly literature at advanced levels of education, and with practice initiatives nationwide. This book will provide: An explanation of why it is important to write and the anxiety, anger, guilt, or self-loathing that often accompanies the very thought of writing The unique but basic structure of scholarly writing Annotated examples you can use to write a variety of scholarly documents including: DNP, Capstone, or PhD dissertation projects; Abstracts; Data-based scholarly manuscripts; Non-data-based scholarly manuscript; Grant proposals; A better college paper; Effective letters for a job application, promotion and grievance An approach to finding something to write about How to develop and use an outline to write a manuscript Strategies for increasing readership of your manuscript through open access journals, Institutional Repositories, and Social Media How to effectively provide and successfully respond to feedback, criticism and critique This book also includes humorous examples of how the authors learned to be productive scholars by providing tips, tricks, and resources they obtained through practice, trial and error or informal sharing with colleagues.

The DNP Professional: Translating Value From Classroom to Practice is a collection of exemplars from DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) -prepared experts across various advanced practice nursing roles and settings. The content illustrates the application of the DNP Essentials, quantifies successful DNP-prepared practitioner outcomes, and describes the overall impact of the nursing practice doctorate. Each chapter is written by a different expert and focuses on how the DNP Essentials relate to that author's role, including business planning, evidence-driven decision making, data analytics, and interprofessional collaboration. These leaders demonstrate how to implement lessons learned in a DNP program and translate them into everyday practice, with plenty of pearls to pass along. Editor Linda A. Benson has divided the book into sections based on roles and settings: Nurse practitioner Clinical nurse specialist Certified registered nurse anesthetist Nurse midwife Nurse executive Academia Population health Informatics Legislative activity When performing at their peak, DNPs can affect clinical, satisfaction, and cost outcomes, as well as provide preceptorship and mentoring. With exemplars from across the continuum of practice sites and roles, The DNP Professional: Translating Value From Classroom to Practice enables both students and DNP graduates to optimize the curricular Essentials in the practice setting.

This comprehensive and clinically-focused textbook is designed for student and qualified nurses concerned with caring effectively for deteriorating and acutely ill adults outside of specialist intensive care units. Divided into six sections, the book begins with chapters on assessment and the deteriorating patient, including monitoring vital signs and interpreting blood results. This is followed by two sections focusing on breathing and cardiovascular problems respectively. Section 4 explores issues around disability and impairment, including chapters on neurology, pain management, psychological needs and thermoregulation. The penultimate section looks at maintaining the internal environment, with chapters on issues such as nutrition, fluid management and infection control. The text ends with a discussion of legal issues and accountability. Nursing Acutely Ill Adults includes a full range of pedagogical features, including sections: identifying fundamental knowledge; highlighting implications for practice; giving further reading and resources; using case scenarios to help readers relate theory to practice; and providing 'time out' exercises. It is the ideal textbook for students taking modules in caring for critically ill adults and qualified nurses working with these patients.