- Email: [email protected]
Orthopedic Nursing a Programmed Approach
Book reviews
K u b l e r - Ross, Elisabeth: New York: The Macmillan Co.,
On Death and Dying, 1969, 260 pp, $6.95.
Virtually none of us have been behind the eyes or inside the ears of a dying person. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, through this fascinating book of doctor-nurse-patient dialogues and evaluations of these dialogues, has done a most commendable job of crystalizing some basic, however obscure, patient reactions to death. Many of us interview, but how many of us interpret? Dr. Kubler-Ross, assistant director of the Psychiatric Consultation and Liaison Service of the University of Chicago Hospitals, has personally interviewed hundreds of dying patients; and with the help of nurses, interns, and other staff doctors has created a clinic where dying patients are allowed to express their well guarded feelings about their own deaths. She has tape recorded many 04 these interviews and includes them in her book, following them with evaluations of the interviewing sessions and interpretations of what the patient, as well as the interviewer, were actually trying to say to each other. She thoroughly discusses the various stages these patients experience: anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. She appropriately includes family members' attitudes toward death. Also included is a
February- 1971
helpful chapter on therapy with terminally ill patients.
This book i s remarkably well written, and certainly pertains to all of our lives, whether it be because of a patient, a neighbor, or one of our own relatives. It is truly excellent reading.
Linda
P. Holcomb, RN Hoosfon, Tex
Orthopedic Nursing a Programmed Approach, Brunner, Nancy A.: St. Louis: C. V. Mosby, 1970, 173 pp, $5.75 paperbound.
This programmed instruction book can be a useful tool for testing one's knowledge of orthopedic nursing. Although supposedly designed to assist students in learning the principles of nursing care of the orthopedic patient, it would seem that the student would need some instruction before using the book. The book is divided into four sections. Section I, "Introduction to orthopedic nursing" is concerned with joint motions, basic body mechanics, the classification of fractures, stages of bone healing and complications of fractures. The treatment of fractures and the principles of nursing care of patients in traction and with plaster casts are covered in section II; and section Ill deals with prin-
227
ciples of nursing care of the surgical orthopedic patient. Principles of pre and postoperative care of patients having a variety of surgical procedures are discussed. The final section covers the principles of nursing care of the nonsurgical orthopedic patient. Useful pictures and diagrams are evident throughout the book; but an index and list of suggested references would add to the usefulness of the book as a teaching aid. Used in conjunction with a textbook of orthopedic nursing, this book could reinforce knowledge and test the understanding of the reader. It i s not detailed enough to be used as a text, in itself.
Sr. Dolores Kane,
RN
of nursing care and vigilance in maintaining routine procedures. They discuss the various causes of unconsciousness, assessment, nursing care, treatment and rehabilitation, a knowledge and understanding of which play such an important part in the patient’s recovery.
A section i s devoted to poisoning, and overdosage of drugs, as loss of consciousness i s a major factor governing the care of most of these cases. Emphasis is given to the need for good communication between the medical and nursing staff, a n d the physiotherapist and medical social workers; and particularly to the importance of a good nurse-relative relationship.
M a r y Ann Kohnke,
Chicago, 111
Marijuana-Countdown Nursing Care of the Unconscious Patient, Mountjoy, Pamela, SRN, RMN and Wythe, Barbara, SRN, SCM: Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins Co., 1970, 89 pp. It i s frighteningly easy for an unconscious patient to die or b e permanently disabled as a result of ignorance or thoughtlessness on the part of those who care for him. This handbook has been compiled to help nurses and others responsible for the care of patients whose level of consciousness i s abnormal, whatever the cause of that condition and wherever the patient i s being nursed. Considerable stress is therefore imposed upon the nursing staff. If they are to do their best at all times they must be equipped with a full knowledge and understanding of the patient’s condition and requirements. The care of patients with disturbances of consciousness i s of vital importance to nurses in general hospitals as well as in neurosurgical units. The authors have provided a stimulating book on the subject, stressing the importance of a high quality
228
RN
Lake Charles, La
to Disaster,
Crane, James E., MD: Stamford, Conn: Motivation, Inc, 1970, $.I0 pamphlet. This i s a five-page pamphlet defining marijuana. It lists the names b y which marijuana i s known, i t states its active ingredients and i t s physical properties, and it describes how the person becomes a user. The author describes the behavior of the individual while under the influence of the drug. He i s of the opinion that habitual smokers become social liabilities and fall into the behavior pattern of the chronic alcoholic, Although it has not yet been determined that chronic habituation to marijuana causes organic brain damage, it is the author‘s opinion that i t does. He compares the drug to alcohol, but feels that it is much more toxic. Those who are hooked on ”pot,” he says are well on their way to ”hard stuff” and ultimate disaster.
This pamphlet i s recommended for a l l persons concerned with the drug problem.
Mary Ann Kohnke, RN Lake Charles, La
AORN Journal
K u b l e r - Ross, Elisabeth: New York: The Macmillan Co.,
On Death and Dying, 1969, 260 pp, $6.95.
Virtually none of us have been behind the eyes or inside the ears of a dying person. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, through this fascinating book of doctor-nurse-patient dialogues and evaluations of these dialogues, has done a most commendable job of crystalizing some basic, however obscure, patient reactions to death. Many of us interview, but how many of us interpret? Dr. Kubler-Ross, assistant director of the Psychiatric Consultation and Liaison Service of the University of Chicago Hospitals, has personally interviewed hundreds of dying patients; and with the help of nurses, interns, and other staff doctors has created a clinic where dying patients are allowed to express their well guarded feelings about their own deaths. She has tape recorded many 04 these interviews and includes them in her book, following them with evaluations of the interviewing sessions and interpretations of what the patient, as well as the interviewer, were actually trying to say to each other. She thoroughly discusses the various stages these patients experience: anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. She appropriately includes family members' attitudes toward death. Also included is a
February- 1971
helpful chapter on therapy with terminally ill patients.
This book i s remarkably well written, and certainly pertains to all of our lives, whether it be because of a patient, a neighbor, or one of our own relatives. It is truly excellent reading.
Linda
P. Holcomb, RN Hoosfon, Tex
Orthopedic Nursing a Programmed Approach, Brunner, Nancy A.: St. Louis: C. V. Mosby, 1970, 173 pp, $5.75 paperbound.
This programmed instruction book can be a useful tool for testing one's knowledge of orthopedic nursing. Although supposedly designed to assist students in learning the principles of nursing care of the orthopedic patient, it would seem that the student would need some instruction before using the book. The book is divided into four sections. Section I, "Introduction to orthopedic nursing" is concerned with joint motions, basic body mechanics, the classification of fractures, stages of bone healing and complications of fractures. The treatment of fractures and the principles of nursing care of patients in traction and with plaster casts are covered in section II; and section Ill deals with prin-
227
ciples of nursing care of the surgical orthopedic patient. Principles of pre and postoperative care of patients having a variety of surgical procedures are discussed. The final section covers the principles of nursing care of the nonsurgical orthopedic patient. Useful pictures and diagrams are evident throughout the book; but an index and list of suggested references would add to the usefulness of the book as a teaching aid. Used in conjunction with a textbook of orthopedic nursing, this book could reinforce knowledge and test the understanding of the reader. It i s not detailed enough to be used as a text, in itself.
Sr. Dolores Kane,
RN
of nursing care and vigilance in maintaining routine procedures. They discuss the various causes of unconsciousness, assessment, nursing care, treatment and rehabilitation, a knowledge and understanding of which play such an important part in the patient’s recovery.
A section i s devoted to poisoning, and overdosage of drugs, as loss of consciousness i s a major factor governing the care of most of these cases. Emphasis is given to the need for good communication between the medical and nursing staff, a n d the physiotherapist and medical social workers; and particularly to the importance of a good nurse-relative relationship.
M a r y Ann Kohnke,
Chicago, 111
Marijuana-Countdown Nursing Care of the Unconscious Patient, Mountjoy, Pamela, SRN, RMN and Wythe, Barbara, SRN, SCM: Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins Co., 1970, 89 pp. It i s frighteningly easy for an unconscious patient to die or b e permanently disabled as a result of ignorance or thoughtlessness on the part of those who care for him. This handbook has been compiled to help nurses and others responsible for the care of patients whose level of consciousness i s abnormal, whatever the cause of that condition and wherever the patient i s being nursed. Considerable stress is therefore imposed upon the nursing staff. If they are to do their best at all times they must be equipped with a full knowledge and understanding of the patient’s condition and requirements. The care of patients with disturbances of consciousness i s of vital importance to nurses in general hospitals as well as in neurosurgical units. The authors have provided a stimulating book on the subject, stressing the importance of a high quality
228
RN
Lake Charles, La
to Disaster,
Crane, James E., MD: Stamford, Conn: Motivation, Inc, 1970, $.I0 pamphlet. This i s a five-page pamphlet defining marijuana. It lists the names b y which marijuana i s known, i t states its active ingredients and i t s physical properties, and it describes how the person becomes a user. The author describes the behavior of the individual while under the influence of the drug. He i s of the opinion that habitual smokers become social liabilities and fall into the behavior pattern of the chronic alcoholic, Although it has not yet been determined that chronic habituation to marijuana causes organic brain damage, it is the author‘s opinion that i t does. He compares the drug to alcohol, but feels that it is much more toxic. Those who are hooked on ”pot,” he says are well on their way to ”hard stuff” and ultimate disaster.
This pamphlet i s recommended for a l l persons concerned with the drug problem.
Mary Ann Kohnke, RN Lake Charles, La
AORN Journal