Nurses's Clinical Guide : Medication Administration

From The Critics

Reviewer: Elizabeth Sloand, RN, MSN, CPNP(Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing)
Description: This is a comprehensive book on all the commonly used medication administration methods.
Purpose: The purpose is to assist nurses in the safe administration of all medications and help them avoid transcription and medication errors. Far from being a basic pharmacology book, the focus is on clinical practice and practical nursing considerations. The format of the book is clear, concise, and instructive, making it a useful companion for nurses on the go.
Audience: The book is written for all practicing nurses. The clarity, basic descriptions, and helpful illustrations found throughout the book will assist novice nurses; the vast array of methods presented, including such things as intraperitoneal administration and using dry powder inhalers, will help keep the experienced clinician up-to-date. A large and impressive group of nurse experts, certified clinicians, and nursing educators collaborated in writing the book.
Features: This book is well-organized and begins with a presentation of general medication administration principles, including a very readable section on pharmacological concepts. There is attention to special populations, such as children and the elderly. The author gives full coverage of the numerous medication administration methods available. All are described in great detail, using clear headings, bullets, and lists. Step-by-step procedures are written in a very easy-to-follow way. An outstanding feature of the book is the use of copious visual aids that appear throughout in the form of photographs, sketches, and charts. In addition, patient education is fully covered, often incorporating useful reproducible forms and teaching aids. One slight shortcoming is the use of some terminology. "Physician" is a more accurate term than the generic "doctor" which is used consistently. Even more correct would be the use of "healthcare practitioner" or "provider," which would recognize that in many states, nurse practitioners, midwives, and nurse anesthetists prescribe medications.
Assessment: This is a very useful handbook for the busy nurse today who has increasing and changing responsibilities in the clinical area. High quality expert advice is offered in a very easy-to-use format.

Elizabeth Sloand

This is a comprehensive book on all the commonly used medication administration methods. The purpose is to assist nurses in the safe administration of all medications and help them avoid transcription and medication errors. Far from being a basic pharmacology book, the focus is on clinical practice and practical nursing considerations. The format of the book is clear, concise, and instructive, making it a useful companion for nurses on the go. The book is written for all practicing nurses. The clarity, basic descriptions, and helpful illustrations found throughout the book will assist novice nurses; the vast array of methods presented, including such things as intraperitoneal administration and using dry powder inhalers, will help keep the experienced clinician up-to-date. A large and impressive group of nurse experts, certified clinicians, and nursing educators collaborated in writing the book. This book is well-organized and begins with a presentation of general medication administration principles, including a very readable section on pharmacological concepts. There is attention to special populations, such as children and the elderly. The author gives full coverage of the numerous medication administration methods available. All are described in great detail, using clear headings, bullets, and lists. Step-by-step procedures are written in a very easy-to-follow way. An outstanding feature of the book is the use of copious visual aids that appear throughout in the form of photographs, sketches, and charts. In addition, patient education is fully covered, often incorporating useful reproducible forms and teaching aids. One slight shortcoming is the use of some terminology."Physician" is a more accurate term than the generic "doctor" which is used consistently. Even more correct would be the use of "healthcare practitioner" or "provider," which would recognize that in many states, nurse practitioners, midwives, and nurse anesthetists prescribe medications. This is a very useful handbook for the busy nurse today who has increasing and changing responsibilities in the clinical area. High quality expert advice is offered in a very easy-to-use format.

3 Stars from Doody