Thompson's Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing

Rita H. Kelly

This is the third edition of a basic beginning nursing text book. The second edition was published in 1995. Subject content for instruction is maternity care, followed by pediatric care. The purpose is to aid in the teaching of LP/LVN students, and is directed towards maternity, postpartum, and pediatric care. Although the second part of the book is quite detailed concerning pediatric care, the first section gives short shrift to antepartum care, which is the basis of good health to the infant and child as well as the mother. This book is written for the LP/LVN nursing student. It is obviously a textbook. The editor has been involved with beginning nursing texts for better than 30 years. Each chapter follows an outline set out at the start of each chapter. Chapters include nursing tips, objectives for learning, and vocabulary. Key points are the multiple-choice review questions and the bibliography at the end of each chapter. There are many black-and-white illustrations that highlight important points, and there are a few color illustrations. Missing from the chapter on women's healthcare are complete, up-to-date STD treatments. No mention of emergency contraception is made, although Healthy People 2000 Goals make this an obvious choice for prevention of unintended pregnancies. This is a basic text, giving the student very basic knowledge. For the eager student this is a good start. Many subjects are covered, some with more depth than others. Because of the rapidly changing and evolving course in women's healthcare, an end-of-the-century text is much needed and this third edition replaces a second edition in time to be such a text.

From The Critics

Reviewer: Rita H. Kelly, CNM, MS (East Carolina University)
Description: This is the third edition of a basic beginning nursing text book. The second edition was published in 1995. Subject content for instruction is maternity care, followed by pediatric care.
Purpose: The purpose is to aid in the teaching of LP/LVN students, and is directed towards maternity, postpartum, and pediatric care. Although the second part of the book is quite detailed concerning pediatric care, the first section gives short shrift to antepartum care, which is the basis of good health to the infant and child as well as the mother.
Audience: This book is written for the LP/LVN nursing student. It is obviously a textbook. The editor has been involved with beginning nursing texts for better than 30 years.
Features: Each chapter follows an outline set out at the start of each chapter. Chapters include nursing tips, objectives for learning, and vocabulary. Key points are the multiple-choice review questions and the bibliography at the end of each chapter. There are many black-and-white illustrations that highlight important points, and there are a few color illustrations. Missing from the chapter on women's healthcare are complete, up-to-date STD treatments. No mention of emergency contraception is made, although Healthy People 2000 Goals make this an obvious choice for prevention of unintended pregnancies.
Assessment: This is a basic text, giving the student very basic knowledge. For the eager student this is a good start. Many subjects are covered, some with more depth than others. Because of the rapidly changing and evolving course in women's healthcare, an end-of-the-century text is much needed and this third edition replaces a second edition in time to be such a text.

3 Stars from Doody