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Handbook of neonatal intensive care
NURSE EDUCATION TODAY NURSING AND CANCER H. Burns, 1982, W B Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 389, iIIus, £12.50 Tills BOOK was written because of the author's frustration at the fragmentation of information about cancer and its treatment. It covers a wide variety of material which is otherwise difficult to obtain, including the lay person's beliefs about cancer, current theories on its aetiology and various ethical dilemmas in cancer nursing. Although based on American figures, it gives useful guides to frequency and the effect of the treatment on most types of the disease. AII medical and surgical methods of treatment arc discussed, as is also the attitude both of medical and nursing staff towards the patient with cancer. A word of caution is needed in the nursing care given, as there arc considerable differences in this country; however, care is approached from a problem-solving angle which can be adapted. A section is given over to the psychological treatment of cancer patients and to less traditional care of the terminally ill child and adult. It is on the whole fairly optimistic in its approach, discussing rehabilitation and self support groups and leaving the reader with the feeling that this is not the depressing subject it might seem. The book's strength lies in its social aspects and psychological treatments and that the author achieved her objective. It will serve as a good reference book for tutors and students, and will be useful for nurses working with cancer patients. Elizabeth Grainger, SRN,SCM,RCNT,RNT
NURSES AND SERIES/SPECIAL INTEREST TEXT CARDIAC NURSING David R Thompson, 1982, Bailliere Tindall, London, pp 286, iIIus, (P/B) £7.50 Tnu AUTHOR has taken great care to give a concise account of cardiac history from Egyptian times to the present. It tells of the major advances of the last 20 years. A bargain at £7.50, this book should be available in all nursing school libraries and cardiac departments. Details of many cardiac conditions and nursing care are well enough
116
illustrated with easily understood tables. Explanations of the ECG are simple enough for most nurses to follow, which is not always so in texts on cardiac care. Nurse tutors should be able to obtain a great deal of information from this book to assist them in their lectures on cardiology. R G Ogden, SRN,RCNT
HANDBOOK OF NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE Halliday, et al, 1981, Balliere Tindall, London, pp 307, iIlus, £7.50 THIS APPAREJ-"LY small book, written by three consultants from Belfast in Northern Ireland, is deceptive in its appearance. It contains a wealth of knowledge appropriate to both the practical and the theoretical situation making it a comprehensive reference source for the management of the critically ill infant. The 20 chapters progress from intrauterine problems to the outpatient follow-up of the successfully resuscitated neonate returned to its parents. The text covers not only the medical 'aspects but also the psychological problems involved with regard to bonding of the infant and its parents, and the processes of grief when such measures have proved unsuccessful. Tables and figures are liberally scattered throughout the book and these add to the clarity and understanding of the various chapters. They also provide a summary to the chapter content and can be used as a ready reference in the emergency situation. Respiratory problems are covered using the format already described, but this section includes a surprising description of the nasotracheal tube for long term ventilation and its method of fixation, which advocates painting the infant's face with tincture of benzoin compound and the use of strapping over this to secure the tube in place. The remainder of the book progresses through such problems as fluids and nutrition, electrolyte and haemotological imbalance, to neurological and cardiovascular abnormalities-their treatment and expected outcome. The only major criticism of this book concerns not its content but its presentation as a soft back book. After one month's use my copy was dirty and dog-eared and a hardback binding would have been more durable and acceptable taking into account the
practical use to which the book is likely to be put. However, the content of this book can be recommended to anyone involved in the care of the neonate, whether medical or nursing. Graham R Haynes
STOMA CARE B Breckman (Ed), 1981, Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, Beaconsfield, pp 213, iIIus, £9.50 A CO~IPREIlENSIVE text on stoma care with the emphasis on practical advice. The first chapter considers some of the psychosocial problems that are related to stoma care and the counselling that might be needed. This chapter raises many questions, a few answers are provided and a helpful list of suggested further reading is given at the end of the chapter. There is a useful chapter on the practical management of bowel stoma which includes the importance of pre-operative counselling, the siting of the stoma and appliance management. Specific problems related to colostomy, ileostomy and urinary diversion are then dealt with in more detail. A chapter on the care of fistulae is full of valuable practical advice as well as considering the nutritional and psychological effects of fistulae on the individual. Problems affecting the life style of the ostomist and his family are identified. Attitudes to the stoma, changes in personal relationships and sexual relationships are among the problems considered. References are given at the end of each chapter. The text is enhanced by a number of clear line drawings and photographs. At the end of each chapter there are a number of questions for discussion which serve to reinforce the general problemsolving approach that runs through the book. The editor and contributors are nurses involved in stoma care and the text reflects the wealth of experience of a group of nurses practising in this difficult and sensitive area. The book is full of practical up-to-date information and it also poses a number of questions for consideration by the reader. Although it has been written as a guide for nurses, doctors and other health care workers, anyone involved in the care and support of an individual with a stoma will find this a useful book. Mollie E Reakes, SRN, ONC, RNT «:i 1984 Longman Group Ltd.
NURSES AND SERIES/SPECIAL INTEREST TEXT CARDIAC NURSING David R Thompson, 1982, Bailliere Tindall, London, pp 286, iIIus, (P/B) £7.50 Tnu AUTHOR has taken great care to give a concise account of cardiac history from Egyptian times to the present. It tells of the major advances of the last 20 years. A bargain at £7.50, this book should be available in all nursing school libraries and cardiac departments. Details of many cardiac conditions and nursing care are well enough
116
illustrated with easily understood tables. Explanations of the ECG are simple enough for most nurses to follow, which is not always so in texts on cardiac care. Nurse tutors should be able to obtain a great deal of information from this book to assist them in their lectures on cardiology. R G Ogden, SRN,RCNT
HANDBOOK OF NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE Halliday, et al, 1981, Balliere Tindall, London, pp 307, iIlus, £7.50 THIS APPAREJ-"LY small book, written by three consultants from Belfast in Northern Ireland, is deceptive in its appearance. It contains a wealth of knowledge appropriate to both the practical and the theoretical situation making it a comprehensive reference source for the management of the critically ill infant. The 20 chapters progress from intrauterine problems to the outpatient follow-up of the successfully resuscitated neonate returned to its parents. The text covers not only the medical 'aspects but also the psychological problems involved with regard to bonding of the infant and its parents, and the processes of grief when such measures have proved unsuccessful. Tables and figures are liberally scattered throughout the book and these add to the clarity and understanding of the various chapters. They also provide a summary to the chapter content and can be used as a ready reference in the emergency situation. Respiratory problems are covered using the format already described, but this section includes a surprising description of the nasotracheal tube for long term ventilation and its method of fixation, which advocates painting the infant's face with tincture of benzoin compound and the use of strapping over this to secure the tube in place. The remainder of the book progresses through such problems as fluids and nutrition, electrolyte and haemotological imbalance, to neurological and cardiovascular abnormalities-their treatment and expected outcome. The only major criticism of this book concerns not its content but its presentation as a soft back book. After one month's use my copy was dirty and dog-eared and a hardback binding would have been more durable and acceptable taking into account the
practical use to which the book is likely to be put. However, the content of this book can be recommended to anyone involved in the care of the neonate, whether medical or nursing. Graham R Haynes
STOMA CARE B Breckman (Ed), 1981, Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, Beaconsfield, pp 213, iIIus, £9.50 A CO~IPREIlENSIVE text on stoma care with the emphasis on practical advice. The first chapter considers some of the psychosocial problems that are related to stoma care and the counselling that might be needed. This chapter raises many questions, a few answers are provided and a helpful list of suggested further reading is given at the end of the chapter. There is a useful chapter on the practical management of bowel stoma which includes the importance of pre-operative counselling, the siting of the stoma and appliance management. Specific problems related to colostomy, ileostomy and urinary diversion are then dealt with in more detail. A chapter on the care of fistulae is full of valuable practical advice as well as considering the nutritional and psychological effects of fistulae on the individual. Problems affecting the life style of the ostomist and his family are identified. Attitudes to the stoma, changes in personal relationships and sexual relationships are among the problems considered. References are given at the end of each chapter. The text is enhanced by a number of clear line drawings and photographs. At the end of each chapter there are a number of questions for discussion which serve to reinforce the general problemsolving approach that runs through the book. The editor and contributors are nurses involved in stoma care and the text reflects the wealth of experience of a group of nurses practising in this difficult and sensitive area. The book is full of practical up-to-date information and it also poses a number of questions for consideration by the reader. Although it has been written as a guide for nurses, doctors and other health care workers, anyone involved in the care and support of an individual with a stoma will find this a useful book. Mollie E Reakes, SRN, ONC, RNT «:i 1984 Longman Group Ltd.