Emergencies in critical care

Ken Spearpoint looks at whether Emergencies in Critical Care is relevant to acute sector nurses.

This compact book presents the reader with an impressive array of critical care emergencies. It is designed and written to be a hands-on practical guide and a comprehensive reference. It should prove to be a valuable resource for critical care nurses, emergency department nurses, operating department practitioners, resuscitation officers and all grades of medical staff involved in the management of medical emergencies.

The information is presented in a logical sequence, in a clear, concise manner which aids reading and information retrieval.

The book opens with a list of all abbreviations and symbols used within the text and a quick reference emergency drugs section. The first half of the book is a systems approach to emergencies. It commences with the initial assessment and  stabilisation of the patient, proceeds through airway management, breathing, circulation and disability (neurology). The second part of the book identifies emergencies based on either a patient-centred or condition-centred approach.

Each section covers a comprehensive range of emergencies which are described using a uniform structure starting with causes, moving on to consider presentation and assessment, investigations and differential diagnosis. Management strategies are provided along with pitfalls and difficult situations.  Every emergency concludes with a useful suggestion for further reading.
 
There are one or two inconsistencies with national guidelines, for example    amiodarone dose for broad complex tachycardia, However these should not detract from what is a well-constructed, easy-to-use and welcome addition to the Emergencies in…series.

Ken Spearpoint, RN, BSc (Hons), MSc,
Consultant Nurse in Resuscitation Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust