Overview
This essential text presents and explains every aspect of clinical decision making, providing a sound base of knowledge for confidence and accuracy. Its format incorporates principles of problem-based learning methods that are used in many nursing programs. The revised Second Edition contains 20 new case studies of the most common diseases and disorders encountered in family practice; each includes a review of all the information necessary for developing a plan of care and emphasizes differential diagnosis and clinical reasoning for the nurse practitioner. The text's problem-oriented format promotes and strengthens critical thinking skills. Additional features include: tutorials; holistic health considerations; case accuracy; laboratory tests that require learners to interpret tests and their impact on a patient's condition; interdisciplinary collaboration; decision trees that are applicable to each case; research-based outcomes; complementary therapies; and much more.
A Brandon-Hill Recommended Title.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Carole Ann Kenner, PhD, MSN, BSN(Northeastern University Bouve College of Health Sciences)Description: This case-based text aims to develop and refine problem-solving skills in nurse practitioners. The SOAP format is the organizing framework.
Purpose: The purpose is to develop and refine problem-solving skills and clinical decision-making of nurse-practitioners. These are worthy objectives and, for the most part, the book accomplishes them.
Audience: The audience is nurse practitioner students, those prepareing for certification examinations, and novice practitioners. For the more seasoned practitioners, the book can serve as a refresher. The audience should be limited to adult, family, and pediatric nurse practitioners. There is little for the acute care practitioner in pediatrics, especially neonatal.
Features: The book uses an effective case-based approach. It provides 16 complete cases with 25 others that must be completed by the reader. The use of RED FLAG conditions that cannot be missed in the diagnostic workup is a good teaching/learning strategy. The book's illustrations are in black and white; color graphics would add to the attractiveness and teaching/learning of this material. There is little emphasis placed on neonatal or acute care needs from a pediatric perspective. If that is not the intent of the book, then it should not be presented as a book for all nurse practitioners. The focus in generally primary care.
Assessment: The book is one of many case-based teaching materials in the marketplace. In this edition the authors did emphasize more pathophysilogy and lab tests than in the first edition. Internet links are a good adjunct, too. This edition is justified but little makes it stand out in the myriad of texts already on the market.
3 Stars from Doody