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‘Pickwickian’ and other stories of intensive care
BOOK REVIEWS Why, Charlie Brown, Why? By Charles M. Schulz Ravette Books Ltd, Horsham, 24.50
1991.
32 pages.
Price
‘Why, Charlie Brown, Why?’ is not a book written fol children with cancer, but for their young friends, and so it is written from their perspective. The book gives clear but simple explanations of leukaemia, including symptoms before diagnosis, investigations, treatment and some side effects (notably hair loss). Most of the book deals with the feelings of the friends, which is important as often children are not considered to have such emotions. Linus is angry and confused when Janice, who has leukaemia. is teased at school for being bald. Charlie Brown asks if.Janice will die, which shows that it is alright to ask. but unfortunately the author avoids answering the question. Salt) and Lucy do not understand, and so appear not to care. Some of the children at school think that the teachers are too nice and ‘soft’ with ,Janice. ,Janice’s sisters are jealous of the extra attention she receives and feel r&tricted by her illness. Janice needed her friends to visit and talk with her. Charlie Brown and Linus admit to not understanding or having an> answers. The myths that you can catch cancer, or tfiat you get it because you do something bad, are dispelled. The book is rlearlv American and unfortunately this has drawbacks. For example, Janice’s temperature is recorded in Fahrenheit and she does not have a aspiration. general anaesthetic for her bone marrow Also. in line with an American need for happy endings, when Janice leaves hospital for the last time her hair has grown back long and hlondc! Despite these reservations the book has many strong areas and, when read from the perspective of a friend of a child with cancer, it could prove useful. .Uhe glossary at the back is helpful to a parent or teacher helping a child with this story. The book is certainl) worth considering as a school or ward resource.
RGN.
ANGELA w.J.LSH RSCN, ENB 240
‘I‘he author discusses the difficulties in the implementation of a model of nursing within the Accident & Emergency setting and proposes his own seven point model which he claims is less cumbersome and more easily recalled than those traditionally associated with the speciality. He underpins his theory by examining its application to the process of tl-iage and the assessment, planning and delivery of nursing care. Case histories are provided to illustrate this application to the reader. The book is divided into three main parts, each dealing principally with one of these areas. The first section, which examines the development of a triage system, is well covered, and the third, a series of case histories. is a useful learning exercise. The middle section, however, describing the model’s application to nursing care within ali Accident&Emergency department, and the book itself, considered as a complete, structured approach to Accident Xc Emergency nursing, are less convincing. On one level it is written from a realistic point of vice: he rccognises and acknowledges, unlike many educationalists and academics. the true multidisciplinary nature of Accident & Emergency care and the nursing implications therein, but at the same time it is almost anecdotal in its approach, dealing relatively briefly and superficiallv with a tang-z of Accident 8c Emergencv issues. It contains a plethora of lists. which go to make up the whole of his proposed model, and which may do little to dispel the confusion and difficulties which surround the issue in the minds of clinical staff. Therr is no doubt that the author believes in the benefits of the model, whether or not his suggested approach will be embraced by shop-floor i\ccident 8c Emergency nurses r-emains to be seen. This is, at times, an interesting and thought-provoking book. However, at a time when Accident & Emergency nursing itself is going through a good deal of change. with the advent of the nurse practitioner, the further development of the triage role and the emergence of. trauma management as a budding sub-speciality, it does not, as its title implies, provide the reader with a clear picture of the way ahead. KEITH ‘TODD
RGN, ENB Accident and Emergency Nursing: A Structured Approach By C. Jones Faber & Faber, London, 1990, 154 pages. Price 55.99 This book is directed at all Accident nurses, from learners to experienced suffers from this rather broad aim course. 244
& Emergency staff- and it throughout its
199, CERT. ED.
‘Pickwickian’ and Other Stories of Intensive Care Lawrence Martin Lakeside Press, Cleveland, Ohio. 1991, 247 pages. Price $10.95 -Ihis 1s an unusual book. IL is a collection vignettes based on real patients in a modern
of ‘20 medical
INT’ENSI\‘F
ICLJ. The author is a physician who is the director of critical care medicine in a community-based teaching hospital in the mid-west of the USA. The vignettes cover a range of common problems, including diabetic ketoacidosis, Guillain-BarrC sydrome and AIDS. Each vignette brings to life the real problems experienced by patients and their families, and the medical, moral and ethical dilemmas that confront staff on a daily basis. The stories convey human drama, humour and pathos. Some delve into medical history, for example one entitled ‘Too much sugar .’briefly recounts the fascinating story of the discover v of insulin. Five of the stories were originally published as articles. Although intended for a lay magazine audience, nurses and other ICU staff are likely to find this book appealing. There are the inevitable Americanisms. but medical jargon is kept to a minimum. ‘The book concludes with a bibliography of useful books and articles which can be understood by the lay reader. DAVID R. THOMPSON BSc, PhD, RCN, RMN, ONC
Organ and Tissue Transplantation
By M. K. Gaedeke Norris and Mary Anne House F. A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, 1991, 329 pages. Price 226.75
(:AKF:11 KSIN(;
245
cation of potential organ and tissue donors to the successful rehabilitation of recipients. Chapter 1 traces the history of transplantation and subsequent chapters describe in detail kidney, heart, heart/lung, single lung, liver, pancreas and tissue transplantation. Care of the prospective donor, the recipient and their families are discussed and specific paediatric issues are also considered. There a1.e excellent chapters on immunosuppressivt therapy and patient education, and the legal, ethical and religious aspects of organ donation/transplantation are given a very balanced presentation. Although there is a wealth of technical and scientific detail, nursing perspectives are never lost and the rGle of the nurse in each situation is clearlv illustrared with care plans. The authors present American experience. but the issues are international. The main reason tr-ansplantation is not saving or improving the quality 01 even more lives is the lack of available organs and tissues. I would thoroughly commend this book to intensive care nurses, those involved with transplantation, and indeed to all nurses. The authors rightly suggest that every nurse from community to outpatient settings, from medical-surgical to critical care units is potentially part of the transplant team whether 1)) simple contact with people enquiring about organ and tissue donation or intimate contact 13iI h grieving families.
The authors recognised the need for a book which covers all aspects of transplantation from the identifi-
BOOK RECEIVED Health Visiting and Elderly People: A Health Promotion Challenge
Mary McClymont, Silvea Thomas and Michael J. Denham. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 199 1, 344 pages. Price &16.50 A Manual of Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care
R. Millner and J. Pepper. Edward 1990, 123 pp. Price f16.50.
Arnold,
London,
Guillain-Barr6
Syndrome
H. Ropper, Eelco F.M. Wijdicks, Bradlek ‘r. .I‘raux. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, 1991, SW pp. Price g33.75.
1991.
32 pages.
Price
‘Why, Charlie Brown, Why?’ is not a book written fol children with cancer, but for their young friends, and so it is written from their perspective. The book gives clear but simple explanations of leukaemia, including symptoms before diagnosis, investigations, treatment and some side effects (notably hair loss). Most of the book deals with the feelings of the friends, which is important as often children are not considered to have such emotions. Linus is angry and confused when Janice, who has leukaemia. is teased at school for being bald. Charlie Brown asks if.Janice will die, which shows that it is alright to ask. but unfortunately the author avoids answering the question. Salt) and Lucy do not understand, and so appear not to care. Some of the children at school think that the teachers are too nice and ‘soft’ with ,Janice. ,Janice’s sisters are jealous of the extra attention she receives and feel r&tricted by her illness. Janice needed her friends to visit and talk with her. Charlie Brown and Linus admit to not understanding or having an> answers. The myths that you can catch cancer, or tfiat you get it because you do something bad, are dispelled. The book is rlearlv American and unfortunately this has drawbacks. For example, Janice’s temperature is recorded in Fahrenheit and she does not have a aspiration. general anaesthetic for her bone marrow Also. in line with an American need for happy endings, when Janice leaves hospital for the last time her hair has grown back long and hlondc! Despite these reservations the book has many strong areas and, when read from the perspective of a friend of a child with cancer, it could prove useful. .Uhe glossary at the back is helpful to a parent or teacher helping a child with this story. The book is certainl) worth considering as a school or ward resource.
RGN.
ANGELA w.J.LSH RSCN, ENB 240
‘I‘he author discusses the difficulties in the implementation of a model of nursing within the Accident & Emergency setting and proposes his own seven point model which he claims is less cumbersome and more easily recalled than those traditionally associated with the speciality. He underpins his theory by examining its application to the process of tl-iage and the assessment, planning and delivery of nursing care. Case histories are provided to illustrate this application to the reader. The book is divided into three main parts, each dealing principally with one of these areas. The first section, which examines the development of a triage system, is well covered, and the third, a series of case histories. is a useful learning exercise. The middle section, however, describing the model’s application to nursing care within ali Accident&Emergency department, and the book itself, considered as a complete, structured approach to Accident Xc Emergency nursing, are less convincing. On one level it is written from a realistic point of vice: he rccognises and acknowledges, unlike many educationalists and academics. the true multidisciplinary nature of Accident & Emergency care and the nursing implications therein, but at the same time it is almost anecdotal in its approach, dealing relatively briefly and superficiallv with a tang-z of Accident 8c Emergencv issues. It contains a plethora of lists. which go to make up the whole of his proposed model, and which may do little to dispel the confusion and difficulties which surround the issue in the minds of clinical staff. Therr is no doubt that the author believes in the benefits of the model, whether or not his suggested approach will be embraced by shop-floor i\ccident 8c Emergency nurses r-emains to be seen. This is, at times, an interesting and thought-provoking book. However, at a time when Accident & Emergency nursing itself is going through a good deal of change. with the advent of the nurse practitioner, the further development of the triage role and the emergence of. trauma management as a budding sub-speciality, it does not, as its title implies, provide the reader with a clear picture of the way ahead. KEITH ‘TODD
RGN, ENB Accident and Emergency Nursing: A Structured Approach By C. Jones Faber & Faber, London, 1990, 154 pages. Price 55.99 This book is directed at all Accident nurses, from learners to experienced suffers from this rather broad aim course. 244
& Emergency staff- and it throughout its
199, CERT. ED.
‘Pickwickian’ and Other Stories of Intensive Care Lawrence Martin Lakeside Press, Cleveland, Ohio. 1991, 247 pages. Price $10.95 -Ihis 1s an unusual book. IL is a collection vignettes based on real patients in a modern
of ‘20 medical
INT’ENSI\‘F
ICLJ. The author is a physician who is the director of critical care medicine in a community-based teaching hospital in the mid-west of the USA. The vignettes cover a range of common problems, including diabetic ketoacidosis, Guillain-BarrC sydrome and AIDS. Each vignette brings to life the real problems experienced by patients and their families, and the medical, moral and ethical dilemmas that confront staff on a daily basis. The stories convey human drama, humour and pathos. Some delve into medical history, for example one entitled ‘Too much sugar .’briefly recounts the fascinating story of the discover v of insulin. Five of the stories were originally published as articles. Although intended for a lay magazine audience, nurses and other ICU staff are likely to find this book appealing. There are the inevitable Americanisms. but medical jargon is kept to a minimum. ‘The book concludes with a bibliography of useful books and articles which can be understood by the lay reader. DAVID R. THOMPSON BSc, PhD, RCN, RMN, ONC
Organ and Tissue Transplantation
By M. K. Gaedeke Norris and Mary Anne House F. A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, 1991, 329 pages. Price 226.75
(:AKF:11 KSIN(;
245
cation of potential organ and tissue donors to the successful rehabilitation of recipients. Chapter 1 traces the history of transplantation and subsequent chapters describe in detail kidney, heart, heart/lung, single lung, liver, pancreas and tissue transplantation. Care of the prospective donor, the recipient and their families are discussed and specific paediatric issues are also considered. There a1.e excellent chapters on immunosuppressivt therapy and patient education, and the legal, ethical and religious aspects of organ donation/transplantation are given a very balanced presentation. Although there is a wealth of technical and scientific detail, nursing perspectives are never lost and the rGle of the nurse in each situation is clearlv illustrared with care plans. The authors present American experience. but the issues are international. The main reason tr-ansplantation is not saving or improving the quality 01 even more lives is the lack of available organs and tissues. I would thoroughly commend this book to intensive care nurses, those involved with transplantation, and indeed to all nurses. The authors rightly suggest that every nurse from community to outpatient settings, from medical-surgical to critical care units is potentially part of the transplant team whether 1)) simple contact with people enquiring about organ and tissue donation or intimate contact 13iI h grieving families.
The authors recognised the need for a book which covers all aspects of transplantation from the identifi-
BOOK RECEIVED Health Visiting and Elderly People: A Health Promotion Challenge
Mary McClymont, Silvea Thomas and Michael J. Denham. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 199 1, 344 pages. Price &16.50 A Manual of Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care
R. Millner and J. Pepper. Edward 1990, 123 pp. Price f16.50.
Arnold,
London,
Guillain-Barr6
Syndrome
H. Ropper, Eelco F.M. Wijdicks, Bradlek ‘r. .I‘raux. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, 1991, SW pp. Price g33.75.