ACEN - the Australian College Of Emergency Nursing provides trauma and paediatric training courses for nurses

Editors Karen A McQuillan, Mary Beth Flynn Makic, Elizabeth Whalen
Saunders Elsevier St Louis Missouri USA 2009
ISBN-13:9781416037729
RRP.$

Rating •••••

Type and scope of book
This is large multicollaborative trauma text book. It covers the wide base of knowledge from anatomy and physiology to physical nursing actions that underpins expert trauma care. It is written by experts in the field of trauma nursing in the USA.

Contents
Part 1 -General Concepts in Trauma Nursing

• Evolution of the Trauma Cycle
• Economic and Administration Issues in Trauma Care
• Performance Improvement and Patient Safety
• Ethics in Trauma Nursing
• Legal Concerns in Trauma Nursing
• Injury Prevention
• Prehospital Care of the Trauma Patient
• Rural Trauma
• Mass Casualty incidents
• Nursing Practice through the Cycle
• Rehabilitation of the Trauma Patient

Part 2 -General Concepts in Trauma Nursing

• Mechanism of Injury
• Shock and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
• Initial Management of Trauma Shock
• Infection and Infection Control
• Wound Healing and Soft Tissue Injuries
• Analgesia, Sedation, and Neuromuscular Blockage in the Trauma Patient
• Psychological Impact of Trauma

Part 3 -General Concepts in Trauma Nursing

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Maxillofacial Trauma
• Ocular Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Thoracic Trauma
• Abdominal Injuries
• Genitourinary Injuries and Renal Management
• Musculoskeletal Injuries

Part 4 -General Concepts in Trauma Nursing

• The Pregnant Trauma Patient
• Paediatric Trauma
• Trauma in the Elderly
• Trauma in the Bariatric Patient
• Burn Trauma
• Substance Abuse and Trauma Care
• The Organ and Tissue Donor

Strengths
The text book provides a comprehensive coverage of care and the issues that are associated with Trauma Care. Each chapter and sections within examine in detail the care and issues surrounding trauma care.

The break up the text into its component parts allows easy referencing. I like the format of the book as it moves from the general and overall knowledge to the specific focused interventions.

The language and writing used although American is simple to understand. The knowledge is progressed from the simply to the complex and allows the reader to develop and understand the knowledge.

The book is well referenced so current standards of practice are examined and best practice methods are presented.

Deficiencies
As with all American Text books a certain amount of deciphering needs to be taken into account of in the language of the writing. The statistics are of course American and therefore not as useful to local needs.

As with all American Text books there is little incite to what happens in the larger world. It would have not taken much to include to world in the scope of the book.

The book contains an Anatomy and Physiology section at the start of the single systems chapter. I could not see the point of this when the injury text does not directly relate to the A&P section.

More diagrams could have been included to simplifier and add engagement to some of the content presented. The lack of pictures and diagrams in certain sections make it a bland book to read at times. Many drawings are borrowed from other sources and I have seen them in other text books. Most were in the A&P section and I am not sure completely relevant to rest of the text.

Recommended Readership
It would provide an excellent secondary cross reference for those students undertaking post graduate studies. It would need to be referenced with other work, articles and text books currently available.

Overall Rating
I was impressed with the book overall. The text book grew on this reviewer during its reading.

The high standard of the text allows users to be able to include knowledge for university or other post graduate studies. It has the ability to positive influence care.

The book provides the reader with currency of best practice knowledge and expert care. The comprehensive approach to the book allows it to covers most aspects and current discussions in trauma care.

The book though does need to be used and interpreted due to American content and language.

Hodgson Barbara RN, OCN: Kizior Robert BS, RPh
Saunders Elsevier. St.Louis Missouri, 2007
ISBN-13:978-1-4160-3612-8
RRP.$

Rating •••••

Type and scope of book
The Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2007 is a comprehensive, user friendly, drug information guide for nurses. The book is a compact soft cover, containing over 1350 pages, a foldout IV compatibility chart, colour atlas of medications, and a mini CD-ROM that offers over 300 printable drug cards and an interactive drug calculator. The book differs from other drug handbooks by the inclusion of relevant nursing considerations regarding the introduction of the medication such as Baseline Assessment, Intervention/Evaluation and Patient/Family Education. An excellent additional resource to any Nurse, Medical Practitioner, Department, Ward or Clinic.

Contents

1. Drugs by Disorder
2. Classifications
3. A-Z Drug Entries

Appendices:

1. Calculation of Doses
2. Controlled Drugs (United States)
3. Drip Rates for Critical Care Medications
4. Drug Abuse
5. Equi-Analgesic Dosing
6. FDA Pregnancy Categories
7. Herbal therapies and Interactions
8. Lifespan and Cultural Aspects of Drug Therapy
9. Normal Laboratory Values
10. Orphan Drugs
11. P450 (CYP) Enzymes
12. Poison Antidote Chart
13. Preventing Medication Errors and Improving Medication Safety
14. Recommended Childhood and Adult Immunizations
15. Signs and Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance
16. Sound-alike and Look-Alike Drugs
17. Spanish Phrases Often Used in Clinical Settings
18. Techniques of Medication Administration

General Index
Colour Pill Atlas.

The bulk of the book contains an alphabetical listing of drug entries by generic name. It includes new drugs and revised updates of existing medications. Each entry is separated into segments such as Generic Name, Classification, Action, Pharmacokinetics, Uses, Precautions, Contraindications, Lifespan considerations i.e. pregnancy category, Interactions including Drug, Herbal, Food and Lab values. Availability, Administration/ Handling, Indication/Routes/Dosages, Side Affects Adverse Reactions and Toxic Effects. Nursing Considerations include Baseline Assessment, i.e Metoprolol Tartrate “Assess baseline renal/liver function tests. Assess BP, apical pulse immediately before drug administration”. Intervention and Evaluation i.e. “Assess for paradoxical reaction,” and Patient/ Family Teaching i.e. “Do not abruptly discontinue medications” etc…these inclusions allow for safer practice and better patient care. The colour pill atlas and foldout IV compatibility chart are also user friendly components of the book that would be regularly consulted.

Strengths
The Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2007 is printed in a easy to read format. Its compact size and unique addition of comprehensive nursing considerations make this an excellent reference book for doctors and nurses alike. Additional inclusions such as Herbal Therapies and Interactions, Poison Antidote Chart, Recommended Childhood and Adult Immunisations, and Techniques of Medication Administration, ensure this comprehensive handbook will be regularly consulted.

Deficiencies
The Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2007 in written in the United States. This results in minimal aspects of the book not being applicable to countries out side the US.

Recommended Readership
This Handbook would be a valuable resource to anyone working within the medical field, doctors and nurses alike. It would be an appropriate addition to any drug trolley whether it is in a nursing home or hospital ward. It would also be a valuable addition to a GP or Emergency Department where a wide variety of medications are commenced.

Overall Rating
I believe the Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2007, is an excellent resource that would be a welcome addition to any Nurse, Medical Practitioner, Department, Ward or Clinic.

Kate Chapman
RN, BN, Grad Dip (Emerg).
Mt.Gambier & Districts Health Services SA.

Kate Curtis Clair Ramsden Julie Friendship
Mosby Elsevier Sydney 2007
ISBN - 978 0 7295 3769 (pbk.)
RRP.$

Rating •••••

Type and scope of book
A significant Australasian Emergency Nursing text book. Written by many leading emergency nurses throughout Australia. It is a comprehensive guide to Emergency Nursing from its 2007 publication and beyond. Well written and referenced it conveys contemporary emergency nursing practice in Australia. It covers all aspects of Emergency nursing care. The book does include reference to current nursing issues.

Contents
Part A - Foundations of Emergency Nursing

• Overview of emergency nursing in Australasia
• Nursing and clinical ethics
• Nursing at the law
• Cultural dimensions
• Management and leadership

Part B - Professional Practice

• Patient education
• Research for emergency nurses
• Professional development

Part C - Clinical Concepts, Practices and Systems

• Triage
• Patient assessment and essential nursing care
• Stabilisation and transfer
• Vascular access and fluid replacement
• Laboratory, imaging, investigations and analysis
• Wound management
• Pain management
• Organ and tissue donation
• Death and dying in the emergency department
• Major incident preparedness management
• Physiology for emergency care

Part D - Medical and Surgical Emergencies

• Respiratory Emergencies
• Cardiovascular emergencies
• Neurological emergencies
• Gastrointestinal emergencies
• Renal and genitourinary emergencies
• Endocrine emergencies
• Infectious and communicable diseases
• Environmental emergencies
• Envenomation
• Haematological emergencies
• Toxicological emergencies
• Gynaecological emergencies
• Dental,ear,nose and throat emergencies
• Ocular emergencies

Part E - Unique Population Groups

• Obstetric emergencies
• Paediatric emergencies
• Violence, abuse and assault
• The elderly
• Mental health emergencies
• Alcohol and other drug use

Part F - Major Trauma

• An overview of trauma
• Mechanism of injury
• Emergency department trauma management
• Traumatic brain injury
• Faciomaxillary trauma
• Spinal trauma
• Thoracic and neck trauma
• Abdominal and genitourinary trauma
• Orthopaedic and neuromuscular trauma
• Burns trauma
• Blast injur

Strengths
The text has tapped into many sources of expert knowledge to make it impact on the reader. Each contributor has used their knowledge base and practice to deliver a very digestible information for the reader to learn and understand.

The book contains large amounts very nice diagrams that explain concepts. This serves to entertain the reader and help them focus and the information that is being delivered. The book also has a series useful tables that conveys information well and is able to be easily cross referenced.

Each chapter is broken down into component parts and the reader can easily use for reference.

The books greatest strength is that it is comprehensive and contemporary. It is written by Australians to be used in a Australian setting. The language is ours and so is its scope of reference.

Deficiencies
More space devoted to current Australian Emergency nursing issues and controversies could have put further contemporary slant on the current edition.

Recommended Readership
All emergency nurses should have copy of this book or access to this edition. Do yourself or your department a favour.

Overall Rating
Excellent.

Lori Schumacher, PhD, RN, CCRN & Cynthia Chernecky, PhD, RN, CNS, AOCN
Elsevier Saunders, St Louis, 2005
RRP. $60 – 65

Rating •••••

Type and scope of book
Real World Nursing Survival Guide – Critical Care & Emergency Nursing is another of the books from the Real World Series (other titles include Pharmacology, Hemodynamic (sic) Monitoring and Fluids & Electrolytes). It is 480 pages long, is softbound and fairly compact. It is a reasonably comprehensive guide to anything to do with emergency and critical care nursing. It follows a systems approach with a focus on best and current practices. All of the chapters follow the same style and cover a broad range of information for emergency and critical care nurses.

Contents
The book is separated into 12 chapters, and the headings are thus:

1. Review of Hemodynamics
2. Shock Trauma
3. Trauma and Emergency Care
4. Cardiovascular System
5. Respiratory System
6. Nervous System
7. Gastrointestinal System
8. Renal System
9. Endocrine System
10. Hematologic System
11. Integumentary System
12. Multisystem

Each of these chapters is very consistent in their style and layout. All sub-headings in the chapter use a four-step process to facilitate the adult learner. They all begin with the question “What is”, e.g., “What is Angina?” in the cardiovascular chapter. There is then an explanation of what the topic is.

The next heading is “What you need to know”. This is then followed with a detailed description of the important information that the nurse needs to know about that particular problem.

The next heading is “What you do”. There is then an extensive but concise explanation of the nursing interventions that need to be attended to. Subjective and objectives findings of assessment are sometimes also listed here. There is occasionally also some treatment options given to assist the nurse in pre-empting care.

The last heading is a question “Do you understand?”. It is here that the reader can revise and confirm what they have learnt through the use of quizzes, crossword puzzles, word finds and fill in the blanks.

Also, throughout the text there are helpful side notes for the reader to look at. These side notes include cautions, weblinks, take home points, monitoring tips, lifespan considerations and cultural implications.

At the end of the 12 chapters there are some practice NCLEX questions (the NCLEX exams are the exams to gain registration in the USA) and answers, therefore again reinforce the learning that has taken place.  

Strengths
Real World Nursing Survival Guide Critical Care is an impressive text. It is very easy to read and where possible uses basic language, so it shouldn’t confuse the learner. It is interesting and informative and would certainly be of benefit on the shelf of any critical care or emergency nurse. It uses first-rate adult learning principles in the way that it’s written; it encourages and motivates the nurse to read on to learn more. The side notes/tips and the take home points are insightful and the quizzes and games are a fine way to consolidate the learning acquired. The text also covers a large range of topics and defines them all quite well.

Deficiencies
One of the deficiencies with this text is that it is very American in its language. Who was to know what the Sellick maneuver was?? (it’s cricoid pressure if you didn’t know). Most of the statistics throughout the book are all American, as is the spelling. The drugs are also all American (acetaminophen=paracetamol). This does not distract from the context; it’s just annoying to have to constantly transfer to an Australian workplace. The only other deficiency is that it is slightly basic. For those experienced practitioners out there, it may be a little frustrating with the lack of information given at times.

Recommended Readership
This text would be ideal for somebody who is just starting out in critical care. It is solely a nurse’s book, so the interventions and treatments guides are very helpful. Anybody can get something from this text. It would also suit somebody who was interested in nursing in the States.

Overall Rating
Excellent – an insightful and easy to read text, especially for the novice.

Jason Montgomery
CNC Emergency Services.
Blacktown Mt Druitt Hospitals.

S.Scott Polsky, MD. FACEP & Jennifer Markowitz, ND RNo WHNP
MOSBY, ST Louis, 2004
RRP.$

Rating •••••

Type and scope of book
This book is 230 pages long, hard bound, and is an ideal size to handle. It has multiple photographs, with important points highlighted in coloured boxes, which make it extremely easy to access relevant information. It is aimed at all levels of the health care system –ie medical officers, registered nurses, social workers, etc.

Contents
The book consists of 11 chapters, and 6 appendices, headed thus:

1. Clinician’s Approach to Domestic Violence
2. Injury Patterns and Patterned Injuries
3. Approach to the Serious or Multiple Trauma Patient
4. Penetrating Injuries
5. Oral and Facial Injuries
6. Blunt ThoracicTrauma
7. Blunt Abdominal Trauma
8. Trauma in Pregnancy
9. Genital Trauma
10. Musculoskeletal Injuries
11. Patient Populations and Special Considerations

Appendices:

1. Professional Organizations
2. Suggested Screening Questions
3. Resourses for Information about Patient Population and Special Considerations
4. State Reporting Statutes
5. Communication Tools
6. Sample Forensic Examination Documentation

Chapter 1 of the Atlas looks at the clinician’s approach to domestic violence, or as they call it, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). There is a brief review of the epidemiology, and then the physical and emotional sequelae of domestic violence. It also describes screening for IPV, looks at clinical clues, how to document injury and discusses the safe and appropriate referral of patients.

The photographs begin in chapter 2, where injury patterns are described, and descriptors for injury are reviewed.

Chapter 3 details the clinical approach to patients with multiple trauma. It discusses techniques for collecting and preserving evidence and photographing injuries.
Chapter 4 takes an in-depth look at penetrating injuries and is designed as an introduction to firearms and ballistics information for clinicians who may not have dealt with this topic. It also review sharp force injuries.

Chapters 5 to 10 inclusive address specific body area injury, including the pregnant abdomen. There are comprehensive illustrations of the of the entire scope of domestic violence-related injuries, and x-rays are also incorporated. 

Chapter 11 looks at special considerations for patients coping with domestic violence. It briefly reviews issues related to same-sex violence, violence against the disable, violence against the elderly and cultural abuse. It also deals with children who witness violence.  

Strengths
Colour Atlas of Domestic Violence, whilst quite confronting at times, is an excellent reference. It is well set out, easy to read, and will be an invaluable resourse in any health care setting where victims of domestic violence may present. The authors states that the ultimate goal of the Atlas is “to increase the index of suspicion for all professionals involved in patient care”, and it has certainly done this for me.

Deficiencies
Whilst the epidemiology is American, and a couple of the appendices are local in contact this does not in any way detract from the usefulness of the text. Clinicians should be aware of their local laws and resources.

Recommended Readership
This text will be useful  for any clinician who has contact with victims of domestic violence, regardless of specialty, as domestic violence – related complaints may be screened for and observed across the health care continuum.

Overall Rating
Outstanding- I have not seen anything as clear or comprehensive in this field. We all need to be more aware of the possibility of domestic violence, and this text will certainly help to point us very much in the right direction. Every emergency department should have a copy.

Linda Sims
RN RMN ED Cert.
Nepean ED, Penrith.

Jonathan S Olshaker MD, M. Christine Jackson MD, William S Smock MD MS
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins Philadelphia 2001
RRP.$

Rating •••••

Type and scope of book
Forensic Emergency Medicine is a 299 page, hardbound, multi-authored text on forensic
issues in emergency medicine. The text provides essential information that emergency
medical and nursing professionals need to identify, evaluate and treat patients in the
emergency setting whose care also involves clinical forensic issues. The text not only
offers detailed guidelines and techniques on interviewing and examining the victim but
also on how to collect, preserve and appropriately document vital evidence for legal
proceedings. Forensic Emergency Medicine also includes numerous illustrations
alongside the text in black and white and colour to emphasize the importance of the
chapter concepts and improve the reader’s retention of information.

Contents
The text is divided into 13 chapters. Chapter headings include the following;

1. Perpetrators
2. The Victims of Violence
3. Interviewing Techniques
4. Forensic Emergency Medicine
5. Forensic Examination of Victims and Perpetrators of Sexual Assault
6. Sexual Abuse and Sexual Assault of Adolescents
7. Child Abuse / Assault – General
8. Elder Abuse
9. Treating Survivors of Intimate Partner Abuse: Forensic Identification and
   Documentation
10. Sexual Assault and the Criminal Justice System
11. Testifying
12. Law Enforcement
13. Forensic Photography in the Emergency Department

The initial chapters of the text address issues of criminology, extremely useful to
healthcare providers who may be unfamiliar in dealing with characteristics and images of
perpetrators of violence and their victims. The authors provide beneficial definitions, case
scenarios and helpful recommendations throughout the text for ease of understanding the
concepts discussed.

The core concepts of Emergency Forensic Medicine are reviewed in Chapter 4, the author
discussing in particular mechanisms of injury, wounding capabilities of weapons, wound
identification (blunt vs penetrating) and injury patterns. Numerous black and white
photographs have also been included within the text to demonstrate such issues. The
chapter also has some useful hints and techniques for health care providers to
appropriately collect forensic evidence.

Subsequent chapters discuss the forensic examination of abuse and sexual assault victims
and perpetrators. The main themes frequently examined throughout the chapters include:

• Issues of patient consent and confidentiality
• Patient history
• Physical examination
• Types of injuries
• Treatment and psychological support
• Documentation and referral
• Reporting of assault / abuse

The final chapters describe the interactions between medicine and the American criminal
justice system. Discussions relate to the criminal justice process, police investigation,
court testimony, and documentation of forensic evidence including photography.
Forensic photography has been given its own chapter providing important and detailed
information and education for the healthcare provider in the principles and practices of
forensic photography within the ED.

Strengths
Forensic Emergency Medicine is an easy to read, interesting and informative text
chapter-by-chapter or used as a useful reference source on a particular forensic topic. The
text covers all aspects of clinical forensic medicine that is likely to present to the ED,
including child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence and sexual trauma. The index and
suggested readings at the end of each chapter are extensive and the excellent use of
subject headings throughout the text makes locating the information easy. The repeated
inclusion throughout the text for the need of appropriate documentation of forensic
evidence emphasizes to the healthcare provider the importance documentation plays in
legal proceedings for victims. The main aim therefore is not only to treat and manage the
injury but also to accurately document it. The use of numerous photographs throughout
the text adds to the enjoyment of the read.

Deficiencies
The text is primarily aimed at physicians working within the EDs of hospitals. Although
emergency physicians are frequently involved in forensic medical care, so too are nursing
staff, junior medical and allied health, in particular social workers. It would be beneficial
to include information relevant to such groups.

The text does not discuss legal drug and alcohol testing in the ED and what would be the
rights of both the patients and staff in this situation.

The text is solely based on the American scenario and the American criminal justice
system, obviously with some aspects not applicable within Australia, however still worth
the read.

Throughout the text custodial issues are only referred to briefly and only in some places.
Perhaps a more extensive discussion with suggested recommendations would have been
helpful in an area inundated with legal barriers.

Recommended Readership
Any healthcare provider who may be in contact with forensic medical patients within an
emergency or acute care setting will benefit from reading this text.

Overall Rating
Excellent – an essential read.