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Acute pain management
BOOK
REVIEWS
Acute Pain Management
(Clinics in Critical Care Medicine Volume 8) Edited by Michael J. Cousins and Garry D. Phillips Churchill Livingstone, 1986, 300 pages, ISBN 0443 08336 3. Price L29.95
This book is a well written and well researched text dealing in detail with the mechanisms of pain relief in the critical care setting. The first two chapters of the text trace the development of pain management in critical care and discuss neurological mechanisms of pain and the relationship of pain, anxiety and sleep. Both will be of use to nurses working in the critical care setting and the second chapter in particular contains helpful information which could be applied to practice. The third chapter focusses on pain relief and modification of the stress response. Whilst the topic is obviously of importance, an in-depth knowledge and understanding of physiology is necessary to benefit from reading the chapter. The main bulk of the text is concerned with the use of varying drugs and methods of administration in the relief of pain. Consideration is given to the principles of use of opioids and adjuvants and local anaesthetics 1,Chapters 4 and 5); a section on therapeutic drug interactions is followed by chapters on the use of spinal opioids, epidural local anaesthetics and intercostal blocks (Chapters 7, 8 and 9). These chapters are complex and demand a working knowledge of neurophysiology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Chapter 10 is without doubt the most useful for nurses, providing a comprehensive review of the psychological factors which influence acute pain and methods which can be utilised in its relief. However, most of this information is available in nursing texts and thus the usefulness of this book for nurses is questioned. Essentially this book is written by doctors for doctors. It may, however, find a place on the nursing library shelves as a reference text for nurses working in the critical care setting who require more knowledge about administration of analgesics and anaesthetics. This text can be highly recommended as a reference book since it has been extensively researched and provides many references for further study. KAREN R. WATERS
Lecturer
Quick Reference
in Nursing/Senior
To Critical
by Beverley A. Means Taplett RN, CNA 206 pages, Price E27.90 This book is designed
RN,
Nurse
Care Nursing
CCRN
and
Lynn
C.
to be used as a quick reference
book and covers all aspects of care and treatments within the intensive care situation. It contains large sections on coronary care, pharmacology, laboratory studies, neurology etc. The text is easy to use but set out in a brief manner that only scratches the surface of each topic. It has an excellent chapter on heamodynamic monitoring that is basic and easily absorbed. This covers simple cardiac monitoring to intra-cranial monitoring. Another good section covers the concepts of IntraAortic Balloon Pump therapy. Each chapter is followed by its own appendix that explains terminology, abbreviations and pharmacology for the previous pages. The diagrams are few but as the main aim of this book is simplistic reference, the need for them seems to be reduced. Each subject is thoroughly covered and easily understood despite the Americanisms and use of different terminology. It is a book written for Intensive Care Nurses by Intensive Care Nurses which, I believe, adds to its usefulness ‘but, it must be remembered that this is a reference book and not a completely explanatory textbook. I think its use is primarily with experienced Intensive Care Nurses but valuable as a revision book for course students. This is an excellent book to have on hand on the Intensive Care Unit, with its comprehensive coverage of all subjects. I think most Intensive Care Units would benefit from a copy permanently placed for quick reference use. LORRAINEJONESSRN
Continuous
Ambulatory
Peritoneal
Dialysis
Edited by R. Gokal Churchill Livingstone, 1986, 396 pages, ISBN 0443036349. Price F60.00 Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis has now become an accepted form of renal replacement therapy. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the state of art of CAPD since its inception 10 years ago. Authors from all over the world have contributed to 15 chapters covering all aspects of peritoneal dialysis. Each chapter is well presented with distinct headings and clear illustrations. The best examples of this are the chapters covering ‘CAPD systems and solutions’ and ‘Surgical aspects of CAPD’. Also of interest to the user are the chapters on ‘CAPD for patients with diabetes’ and ‘CAPD for children’. The social and psychological aspects of this form of chronic treatment have been well described by two social workers. The longest chapter in the book deals 87
REVIEWS
Acute Pain Management
(Clinics in Critical Care Medicine Volume 8) Edited by Michael J. Cousins and Garry D. Phillips Churchill Livingstone, 1986, 300 pages, ISBN 0443 08336 3. Price L29.95
This book is a well written and well researched text dealing in detail with the mechanisms of pain relief in the critical care setting. The first two chapters of the text trace the development of pain management in critical care and discuss neurological mechanisms of pain and the relationship of pain, anxiety and sleep. Both will be of use to nurses working in the critical care setting and the second chapter in particular contains helpful information which could be applied to practice. The third chapter focusses on pain relief and modification of the stress response. Whilst the topic is obviously of importance, an in-depth knowledge and understanding of physiology is necessary to benefit from reading the chapter. The main bulk of the text is concerned with the use of varying drugs and methods of administration in the relief of pain. Consideration is given to the principles of use of opioids and adjuvants and local anaesthetics 1,Chapters 4 and 5); a section on therapeutic drug interactions is followed by chapters on the use of spinal opioids, epidural local anaesthetics and intercostal blocks (Chapters 7, 8 and 9). These chapters are complex and demand a working knowledge of neurophysiology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Chapter 10 is without doubt the most useful for nurses, providing a comprehensive review of the psychological factors which influence acute pain and methods which can be utilised in its relief. However, most of this information is available in nursing texts and thus the usefulness of this book for nurses is questioned. Essentially this book is written by doctors for doctors. It may, however, find a place on the nursing library shelves as a reference text for nurses working in the critical care setting who require more knowledge about administration of analgesics and anaesthetics. This text can be highly recommended as a reference book since it has been extensively researched and provides many references for further study. KAREN R. WATERS
Lecturer
Quick Reference
in Nursing/Senior
To Critical
by Beverley A. Means Taplett RN, CNA 206 pages, Price E27.90 This book is designed
RN,
Nurse
Care Nursing
CCRN
and
Lynn
C.
to be used as a quick reference
book and covers all aspects of care and treatments within the intensive care situation. It contains large sections on coronary care, pharmacology, laboratory studies, neurology etc. The text is easy to use but set out in a brief manner that only scratches the surface of each topic. It has an excellent chapter on heamodynamic monitoring that is basic and easily absorbed. This covers simple cardiac monitoring to intra-cranial monitoring. Another good section covers the concepts of IntraAortic Balloon Pump therapy. Each chapter is followed by its own appendix that explains terminology, abbreviations and pharmacology for the previous pages. The diagrams are few but as the main aim of this book is simplistic reference, the need for them seems to be reduced. Each subject is thoroughly covered and easily understood despite the Americanisms and use of different terminology. It is a book written for Intensive Care Nurses by Intensive Care Nurses which, I believe, adds to its usefulness ‘but, it must be remembered that this is a reference book and not a completely explanatory textbook. I think its use is primarily with experienced Intensive Care Nurses but valuable as a revision book for course students. This is an excellent book to have on hand on the Intensive Care Unit, with its comprehensive coverage of all subjects. I think most Intensive Care Units would benefit from a copy permanently placed for quick reference use. LORRAINEJONESSRN
Continuous
Ambulatory
Peritoneal
Dialysis
Edited by R. Gokal Churchill Livingstone, 1986, 396 pages, ISBN 0443036349. Price F60.00 Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis has now become an accepted form of renal replacement therapy. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the state of art of CAPD since its inception 10 years ago. Authors from all over the world have contributed to 15 chapters covering all aspects of peritoneal dialysis. Each chapter is well presented with distinct headings and clear illustrations. The best examples of this are the chapters covering ‘CAPD systems and solutions’ and ‘Surgical aspects of CAPD’. Also of interest to the user are the chapters on ‘CAPD for patients with diabetes’ and ‘CAPD for children’. The social and psychological aspects of this form of chronic treatment have been well described by two social workers. The longest chapter in the book deals 87