Intensive Care Nursing: a framework for practice (third edition)

What was it like?

This text covers all areas of patient care in the intensive care setting covering theory, skills and knowledge. It is written by experienced critical care staff with many years’ experience of working in a critical care environment. There are 10 sections of the book, which cover all major body systems such as respiratory, abdominal, cardiovascular and neurological. The text also covers professional issues and technical areas such as invasive and non-invasive monitoring and fundamental aspects of care of the patient in the critical care environment such as pain management, care of the ventilated patient and sedation. There is a list of abbreviations, glossary and index that make the text user friendly and accessible. The text is well referenced and up to date with current clinical practice.

What were the highlights? 

The chapters have sections including fundamental knowledge required, implications for practice, further reading and a chapter summary along with well referenced and up-to-date content. The text is complemented by illustrations and tables. It provides a comprehensive text of all fundamental areas of intensive care nursing for those who are new to working in a critical care area or for those undertaking academic work and requiring a reference text.

Strengths & weaknesses:

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.  

Who should read it?

This book would be useful for nurses and other allied health professionals who are new to the critical care environment or those undertaking post registration courses. It would also be beneficial to those looking after high dependency patients outside of the intensive care setting.