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Coping with Neurologic Problems Proficiently
Davis Co, 1915 Arch St, Philadelphia, Pa 19103, 1978, i83 pp, $7.25. In one textbook, the authors have organized information the nurse needs to give comprehensive care to the laboring patient. These concepts are generally the most difficult for the novice nurse to comprehend. The topics provide clear, concise, and simplified information. Topics included in the text are evaluating contractions, interpreting fetal heart rate patterns, the use of labor progress graphs, analgesia and anesthesia, and the use of the Lamaze technique. Each chapter is followed by extensive bibliographies. New topics are presented not only in theory, but also in practical nursing application. At the beginning of each self-instructional unit, objectives are outlined and followed by material relating to each objective. Each new aspect is reviewed, and a brief quiz is given complete with answers. At the end of the unit, a post-test is available to evaluate the reader's comprehension of the unit's material. With the exception of the all-too-brief section on fetal monitoring, this text is extremely informative and useful. The well-presented material thoroughly explains the basics of monitor patterns. In recent years, fetal monitoring has become increasingly important in the critical care area of labor and delivery. For this reason, it is imperative for the nurse to develop expertise in accurately interpreting fetal heart rate tracings. Overall, this workbook is an excellent method of teaching basic labor and delivery theory and nursing care when used in conjunction with a basic obstetrical nursing textbook. It can be most useful to nursing and medical students as well as to nurses orienting to a high-risk labor and delivery unit. It also provides a most effective review for nurses already practicing in an intrapartum unit. Hilde Simco, RN Denver
Women in Stress: A Nursing Perspective. Jervik, Diane K; Martinson, Ida M, eds. Appleton-Century-Crofts, 292 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017, 1979, 336 pp, $1 1.95. Although its title would lead you to think this
book is about how nurses can help women in stress, it deals with much more. Evolutionary stress in the development of nursing's professional role IS outlined through a short biography of Florence Nightingale, a history of women in society, and the role of the nurse in various periods. The influence of selfimage on the nurse and nursing's role in the future are covered. This provides background to understanding some of the stress factors that nurses must cope with today. Physical, social, and cultural factors in the manifestation of stress are discussed in part two. Topics include male and female response to stress; female sexuality; childbearing; communication patterns of women and nurses; the stress of sexism on the mental health of women; stress related to health, health beliefs, and the health practices of Mexican-American women; and health appraisal of low-income women. Working with physically abused women and the impact of rape on victims and their families, child abuse, and the woman in pain are covered in part three. The final chapter concerns the stress involving divorce, hysterectomy, menopause, widowhood, or the loss of a child. Emphasis on the nurse's role in prevention, support during crisis, and follow-up varies from a passing comment to emphasis on the nurse's responsibilities in various situations. In general, there is much useful information but little actual "how to" material for the nurse practitioner. More information on the problems of old age, terminal illness, handicapped women, and how to help in these situations would be helpful. Read this book for its general information, rather than to learn how to deal effectively with stressful situations. Sister Kane, RHSJ, RN, MEd Cornwall, Ontario
Coping with Neurologic Problems Proficiently. Nursing '79 Books. lntermed Communications, Inc, Horsham, Pa 19044, 1979, 205 pp, $8.95. Another excellent book has been added to the Nursing Skillbook series. Arranged in the familiar Skillbook format, this interesting text is accompanied by pic-
dAORN Journal, July 1979, Vol30, No 1
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tures charts and graphs Five skill checks with answers a helpful glossary a suggested further reading list and an index are also included Through this skillbook the nurse can come to understand the neurologic basics-the nervous system and its assessments cerebrovascular disease stroke and ruptured cerebral aneurysm head and spinal cord injuries brain and intraspinal tumors and seizure disorders and neurologic infections Appendices include a nurse s guide to neurological diagnostic tests and to chronic neurologic problems I recommend this book for nursing units in any kind of health care facility Sister Kane, RHSJ, RN, MEd Cornwall Ontario
Hospital Crisis Management-A Case Book. Garber. A Brent; Sparks, Leroy; Korngold, Aaron. Aspen Systems Corp, Dept TL. 20010 Century Blvd, Germantown, Md 20767, 1978. 168 pp. This is a book that will be of interest to those in hospital administration. Through the use of case studies, it presents the basics of an operational theory of crisis management. Each of the eight chapters deals with common problems, such as those faced by the new administrator, problem solving and decision making, leadership styles, motivation and communication problems, unions, financial problems, and dealing with the board of directors. Administrators provided the responses given to the questions in the 24 cases presented. An introduction provides background information before each case. There is a short suggested reading list at the end of the book. A good reference book, it not only provides basic information but also presents situations that every administrator will face sooner or later in practice. The book's value lies in that it shows that responses to problems can be as different as the persons giving them Sister Kane, RHSJ, RN, MEd Cornwall, Ontario
Human Engineering-Marvel or Menace? Langane, John. Little. Brown 8.Co, 34 Beacon St. Boston, Mass 02106. 1978, 149 pp, $6.95.
176
With the advent of the first test tube baby, interest in cloning and genetic engineering is increasing. There is concern about how science is using its new technology and if, in fact, what is called a marvel may become a menace to mankind in the future. This book is a layman's guide to understanding basic genetics. Topics include test tube babies, viruses and cancer, the possibility of regeneration of body parts, artificial genes, and the problem of recombinant DNA. The final chapter deals with engineering the mind. It considers the use of electric shock, drugs, biofeedback techniques, surgery, and other methods of changing behavior. The reader is left to decide whether genetic engineering should be continued, discontinued because of its risks, or continued within prescribed guidelines. This is an interesting basic book for those seeking an understanding of the new science of genetic engineering. Sister Kane, RHSJ, RN, MEd Cornwall. Ontario
Recovery room, special care seminar The ninth annual recovery room and special care areas seminar will be Oct 1 1 and 12. at the Pfister Hotel and Tower. Milwaukee. The seminar is designed for nurses who work in hospital recovery rooms. intensive care, coronary care. and other related areas. It is sponsored by recovery room and other health care personnel from the Milwaukee area. Seminar subjects will include postoperative shock, the nonanesthetized comatose patient. difficult pediatric intubations. long-term care of the patient on a respirator, radiation safety, infection control. extubation and postoperative airway problems. and oxygen therapy in special care areas. Videotapes of the presentations will be available. The seminar will also include medical exhibits. Information is available by writing Seminar for Recovery Room and Special Care Areas, 8700 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, Wis 53226.
Women in Stress: A Nursing Perspective. Jervik, Diane K; Martinson, Ida M, eds. Appleton-Century-Crofts, 292 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017, 1979, 336 pp, $1 1.95. Although its title would lead you to think this
book is about how nurses can help women in stress, it deals with much more. Evolutionary stress in the development of nursing's professional role IS outlined through a short biography of Florence Nightingale, a history of women in society, and the role of the nurse in various periods. The influence of selfimage on the nurse and nursing's role in the future are covered. This provides background to understanding some of the stress factors that nurses must cope with today. Physical, social, and cultural factors in the manifestation of stress are discussed in part two. Topics include male and female response to stress; female sexuality; childbearing; communication patterns of women and nurses; the stress of sexism on the mental health of women; stress related to health, health beliefs, and the health practices of Mexican-American women; and health appraisal of low-income women. Working with physically abused women and the impact of rape on victims and their families, child abuse, and the woman in pain are covered in part three. The final chapter concerns the stress involving divorce, hysterectomy, menopause, widowhood, or the loss of a child. Emphasis on the nurse's role in prevention, support during crisis, and follow-up varies from a passing comment to emphasis on the nurse's responsibilities in various situations. In general, there is much useful information but little actual "how to" material for the nurse practitioner. More information on the problems of old age, terminal illness, handicapped women, and how to help in these situations would be helpful. Read this book for its general information, rather than to learn how to deal effectively with stressful situations. Sister Kane, RHSJ, RN, MEd Cornwall, Ontario
Coping with Neurologic Problems Proficiently. Nursing '79 Books. lntermed Communications, Inc, Horsham, Pa 19044, 1979, 205 pp, $8.95. Another excellent book has been added to the Nursing Skillbook series. Arranged in the familiar Skillbook format, this interesting text is accompanied by pic-
dAORN Journal, July 1979, Vol30, No 1
173
tures charts and graphs Five skill checks with answers a helpful glossary a suggested further reading list and an index are also included Through this skillbook the nurse can come to understand the neurologic basics-the nervous system and its assessments cerebrovascular disease stroke and ruptured cerebral aneurysm head and spinal cord injuries brain and intraspinal tumors and seizure disorders and neurologic infections Appendices include a nurse s guide to neurological diagnostic tests and to chronic neurologic problems I recommend this book for nursing units in any kind of health care facility Sister Kane, RHSJ, RN, MEd Cornwall Ontario
Hospital Crisis Management-A Case Book. Garber. A Brent; Sparks, Leroy; Korngold, Aaron. Aspen Systems Corp, Dept TL. 20010 Century Blvd, Germantown, Md 20767, 1978. 168 pp. This is a book that will be of interest to those in hospital administration. Through the use of case studies, it presents the basics of an operational theory of crisis management. Each of the eight chapters deals with common problems, such as those faced by the new administrator, problem solving and decision making, leadership styles, motivation and communication problems, unions, financial problems, and dealing with the board of directors. Administrators provided the responses given to the questions in the 24 cases presented. An introduction provides background information before each case. There is a short suggested reading list at the end of the book. A good reference book, it not only provides basic information but also presents situations that every administrator will face sooner or later in practice. The book's value lies in that it shows that responses to problems can be as different as the persons giving them Sister Kane, RHSJ, RN, MEd Cornwall, Ontario
Human Engineering-Marvel or Menace? Langane, John. Little. Brown 8.Co, 34 Beacon St. Boston, Mass 02106. 1978, 149 pp, $6.95.
176
With the advent of the first test tube baby, interest in cloning and genetic engineering is increasing. There is concern about how science is using its new technology and if, in fact, what is called a marvel may become a menace to mankind in the future. This book is a layman's guide to understanding basic genetics. Topics include test tube babies, viruses and cancer, the possibility of regeneration of body parts, artificial genes, and the problem of recombinant DNA. The final chapter deals with engineering the mind. It considers the use of electric shock, drugs, biofeedback techniques, surgery, and other methods of changing behavior. The reader is left to decide whether genetic engineering should be continued, discontinued because of its risks, or continued within prescribed guidelines. This is an interesting basic book for those seeking an understanding of the new science of genetic engineering. Sister Kane, RHSJ, RN, MEd Cornwall. Ontario
Recovery room, special care seminar The ninth annual recovery room and special care areas seminar will be Oct 1 1 and 12. at the Pfister Hotel and Tower. Milwaukee. The seminar is designed for nurses who work in hospital recovery rooms. intensive care, coronary care. and other related areas. It is sponsored by recovery room and other health care personnel from the Milwaukee area. Seminar subjects will include postoperative shock, the nonanesthetized comatose patient. difficult pediatric intubations. long-term care of the patient on a respirator, radiation safety, infection control. extubation and postoperative airway problems. and oxygen therapy in special care areas. Videotapes of the presentations will be available. The seminar will also include medical exhibits. Information is available by writing Seminar for Recovery Room and Special Care Areas, 8700 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, Wis 53226.