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Critical Care Nursing: A Holistic Approach 8th Edition
Patricia Gonce Morton, Dorrie K. Fontaine, Carolyn M. Hudak, Barbara M. Gallo. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2005. Hardcover, 1376 pages. ISBN: 0-7817-2759-6.

Reviewed by Linda Honan Pellico PhD, APRN

What makes a classic? I admit, when I hear the word, a black tuxedo or herringbone tweed come to mind. Classic in its purest sense means that it stands the test of time and that is exactly what the 8th edition of Critical Care Nursing: A Holistic Approach does. For almost 30 years this text has introduced, developed, honed, and enriched the practice of numerous critical care nurses. A classic also implies a static condition, never changing and in that sense the 8th edition cannot meet the definition. Over the past 30 years, this book has maintained its simple yet elegant approach to knowledge and skill development, but it has added numerous details that make this newest edition a superb resource for novices and seasoned nurses, as well as nurse educators.

Critical Care Nursing has a vast area of knowledge to capture, necessitating 56 chapters subdivided into 12 separate parts. The reader continues to be educated in the concept of holism and ethical and legal issues, but in the 8th edition the authors wisely include current content such as genetics and issues of interfacility transfer of critically ill patients. The book continues to present the essential body systems needed to function in any critical care unit. All the systems begin with a review of the anatomy, supported with illustrations that add depth without overwhelming the reader. From this structure, the authors move to a thorough yet succinct discussion of the physiology, which seamlessly flows into physical assessment and clinical presentation of common problems.

Critical Care Nursing continues to provide "knowing that" information along with "knowing how" information. It is not acceptable for nurses to know the science without the application, and it is equally unacceptable to know the application without the science behind the action. The 8th edition retains its enduring value of providing comprehensive, practical, applied information. Through the book’s design, the authors demonstrate their understanding that in the real world of critical care nursing, we need information in the moment. They wisely list bullets and highlights that provide immediate succinct information in a variety of areas, including clinical presentation, interventions, and red flags for instant responses to our patients’ needs.

For all those reasons, Critical Care Nursing should be a mainstay in all critical care units as well as critical care nurses’ home libraries. Finally, nursing educators should have this text as a resource when writing medical surgical nursing lectures. The day has long passed when only intensive care units house patients with multisystem diseases receiving mechanical ventilation, dialysis, or cardiac monitoring; therefore, this book is a welcome source for any medical surgical nursing unit. It is a text that grows with the reader as he or she progresses from novice to expert and increase understanding of complex care issues. Congratulations to the authors for the return of the enduring classic.

Linda Honan Pellico is an assistant professor at Yale University School of Nursing in New Haven, Conn.

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