Meltzer's Intensive Coronary Care

From The Critics

Reviewer: Elizabeth Carlson, DNSc, RN(Rush University College of Nursing)
Description: This fifth edition describes the physical environment recommended for a coronary intensive care unit and common physiological and psychological problems seen in patients in coronary intensive care units. Chapters include monitoring, arrhythmia and electrocardiographic interpretation, and cardiac treatment modalities.
Purpose: The purpose is described by the author as a "framework for the practice of coronary intensive care," particularly for the beginning clinician, and this objective is met in an outstanding manner.
Audience: The intended audience includes student nurses, beginning clinicians in coronary intensive care, and more experienced clinicians who care for patients with cardiac complications.
Features: The illustrations and diagrams are clear, complete, and easily understood. The references are current and pertinent. Both the table of contents and the index easily guide the reader to the desired content. Chapters on electrocardiographic and arrhythmia interpretation are clear and offer a logical approach to learn interpretation. The electrocardiographic and arrhythmia strip examples given are easy to read, as are the exercises in interpretation in Appendix B. The other two appendixes present a commonly used medication reference chart and the guidelines for advanced cardiac life support in an algorithm format.
Assessment: I highly recommend this book for purchase. Dr. Kathleen Dracup is highly credible authority in the area of coronary intensive care nursing, and this fact is apparent in this book, which was last updated in 1983. All content has been revised and updated. This book will be very useful for its intended audience. It can be used as a text or supplemental text for nursing students and can serve as a handy reference for practicing nurses caring for patients with cardiac disease. It is an excellent book for its intended audience.

Elizabeth Carlson

This fifth edition describes the physical environment recommended for a coronary intensive care unit and common physiological and psychological problems seen in patients in coronary intensive care units. Chapters include monitoring, arrhythmia and electrocardiographic interpretation, and cardiac treatment modalities. The purpose is described by the author as a framework for the practice of coronary intensive care, particularly for the beginning clinician, and this objective is met in an outstanding manner. The intended audience includes student nurses, beginning clinicians in coronary intensive care, and more experienced clinicians who care for patients with cardiac complications. The illustrations and diagrams are clear, complete, and easily understood. The references are current and pertinent. Both the table of contents and the index easily guide the reader to the desired content. Chapters on electrocardiographic and arrhythmia interpretation are clear and offer a logical approach to learn interpretation. The electrocardiographic and arrhythmia strip examples given are easy to read, as are the exercises in interpretation in Appendix B. The other two appendixes present a commonly used medication reference chart and the guidelines for advanced cardiac life support in an algorithm format. I highly recommend this book for purchase. Dr. Kathleen Dracup is highly credible authority in the area of coronary intensive care nursing, and this fact is apparent in this book, which was last updated in 1983. All content has been revised and updated. This book will be very useful for its intended audience. It can be used as a text or supplemental text for nursing students and can serve as ahandy reference for practicing nurses caring for patients with cardiac disease. It is an excellent book for its intended audience.

5 Stars! from Doody