Diseases

From The Critics

Reviewer: Lavonne M. Adams, PhD, RN, CCRN(Southwestern Adventist University)
Description: This reference provides a concise overview of major diseases.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide a concise overview of major diseases, and their assessment, treatment, and nursing interventions.
Audience: The target audience includes both nursing students and practicing nurses.
Features: This book follows a body-systems approach to provide an overview of major diseases, their assessment, treatment, and nursing interventions. The author addresses each disease with a consistent format, including description, causes, complications, assessment findings, diagnostic tests, treatment, nursing diagnoses with key outcomes, nursing interventions, and patient teaching. The book includes one appendix that addresses nutritional disorders. Illustrations and charts are of acceptable quality and educational value.
Assessment: The author uses a logical body systems approach to the review of diseases. The chapters are well organized and the index is easy to use, making quick reference possible. The overview format is consistent and concise. The charts and tables highlight topics requiring additional explanation and enhance the clarity of the presentation. The references are pertinent and current. A book focusing on disease may at first glance appear to be too medically-modeled, but the nursing aspects are very clearly addressed, and nurses must indeed be knowledgeable about diseases. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of disease justify the third edition. The overall organization and presentation of the book makes it a handy reference for nursing students and practicing nurses.