NOVEMBER 1993. VOL 58, NO 5 AORN JOURNAL

each lesson’s objectives. I was especially interested in the section

titled “Inguinal hernia.” The lesson plan in this section begins with a concise explanation of hernias, including cause, location, appropriate measures of prevention and care, diagnostic measures, surgery types, and preoperative and postoperative teaching. This “one-two-three’’ order gives the reader a thorough understanding of the subject. In addition, a well-written, easy- to-understand, patient-education aid is includ- ed. My coworkers also enjoyed this book and were eager to put the information to practical use.

This book is available from Springhouse Publishing C o , 11 11 Bethlehem Pike, Springhouse, PA 19477.

JANET CLAMON, RN, CNOR, C STAFF NURSE/OR

VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER HOUSTON

TEAM LEADERmASTIC SERVICE

COMMUNICATION

Understanding/Responding: A Communication Manual for Nurses, seconded By Lynette Long 1992,3.56 pp $31.2.5 paperback

A wealth of information awaits the reader beneath the intriguing cover of this communi- cation manual for nurses. The author believes that nursing is based on human dialogue. The basis of communication, according to this book, includes attending, listening, perceiving, caring, disclosing, accepting, empathizing, being authentic, and respecting. Writing in a conversational style, the author explains how nurses can establish meaningful and effective relationships with patients.

This second edition includes two new chap- ters on questioning and interaction analysis that enhance the book’s overall message. The book provides exercises, didactic material, and stim- ulation activities to help readers develop the skills necessary to relate to any patient, regard-

less of age, emotional state, or prognosis. Despite today’s advanced communication

systems, this text focuses on the basic needs of humanity and highlights the importance of warmth, caring, sharing, and human touch.

This book is available from Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc, One Exeter Plaza, Boston, MA 021 16.

NORMA V. CHEW, RN, BS

JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MIAMI

HEAD NURSE

NURSING PROCESS

Nursing Diagnosis Reference Manual: An Indispensable Guide to Better Patient Care, second ed By Sheila M . Spark, Cynthia M . Taylor 1 9 9 3 , 5 9 7 ~ ~ $29.9.5 paperback

This manual incorporates all diagnoses approved by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association and explains how to apply the nursing process to patient care. It also focuses on legal diagnoses and independent treatment of health problems.

The manual begins with an explanation of the nursing process, including assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, plan- ning, and evaluation. The introduction provides clear guidelines for writing a clinically accurate diagnostic statement and distinguishes between a nursing diagnosis and a medical diagnosis.

After the introduction, the manual is divided into four major sections that include adult, pediatric, maternalheonatal, and geriatric health. Each section includes comprehensive care plans for 274 nursing diagnostic state- ments. Written and reviewed by leading clini- cians, educators, and researchers, each plan addresses the diagnostic statement, definition, assessment, defining characteristics, associated medical diagnosis, expected outcome, interven- tions and rationales, and documentation proce- dures. The manual also includes several appen- dices that help nurses select an appropriate

1041

AORN JOURNAL NOVEMBER 1993. VOL 58, NO 5

diagnosis in almost every clinical situation. This book is available from Springhouse

Publishing Co, 11 11 Bethlehem Pike, Springhouse, PA 19477.

KAREN RICHARDSON, RN, BSN, CNOR NURSING COORDINATOR/OR, PACU, ASU

JOHN T. MATHER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PORT JEFFERSON, NY

Nursing Assessment and Diagnosis, second ed By Janis P . Bellack, Barbara J . Edlund 1 9 9 2 , 8 3 7 ~ ~ $48.75 hardback

This second edition presents a comprehensive analysis of nursing assessment and diagnosis as the basis of the nursing process. The book will help nurses improve their assessment and diag- nostic skills, which will allow them to identify individual patient needs and nursing interven- tion problems effectively.

The book’s first section identifies the knowl- edge, skills, and values necessary to establish a nursing assessment and diagnosis. The authors describe interviewing techniques and explain documentation methods. In addition, they include a taxonomy of the nursing diagnoses approved in 1990 by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association. Each diagnosis includes definitions, defining characteristics, and related factors.

The second section addresses assessment. The authors present an in-depth evaluation of a patient’s family, culture, environment, develop- ment, and psychosocial and physiological sta- tus. The assessment chapters are based on four basic ideas: background knowledge, nursing history concepts, clinical appraisal and screen- ing items, and related nursing diagnoses. The book also covers the special needs of pregnant women, neonates, infants, children, adoles- cents, and older patients.

Each chapter begins with an outline and list of objectives and ends with a summary of key points. Readers are able to practice their assess- ment and diagnostic skills by reading practice scenarios and a case study. The book’s numer- ous tables, illustrations, and assessment

methodologies are extremely useful. The title for this second edition is new, and

many valuable features have been added to achieve an expanded focus. I highly recom- mend this book to anyone interested in nursing assessments and diagnoses.

This book is available from Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc, One Exeter Plaza, Boston, MA 021 16.

ROSEMARY ANN ROTH, RN, MSN, CNOR

THE GENESEE HOSPITAL ROCHESTER, NY

DIRECTOR/SURGICAL SUITE

GENERAL INTEREST

Caring for the Caregiver: A Nurse’s Journey to Health and Inner Peace By Roberta M. Jarrett 1 9 9 3 , 1 8 8 ~ ~ $12.95 paperback

This thought-provoking text is geared toward nurses but would be useful to anyone. Despite the title, this is a self-help book rather than a description of a nurse’s journey.

The author demonstrates an understanding of the personal and professional stresses that nurs- es deal with daily. She combines quotes, phras- es from other books, and her personal experi- ence to provide stress management techniques. The author covers the material thoroughly and guides the reader to self-awareness and discov- ery.

Readers should take the time to follow the book’s step-by-step program. The style is easy to read and will appeal to anyone interested in self-improvement. At the end of each chapter, the author lists several questions for contempla- tion and provides a list of books for further study.

This book is available from Happy Talk Books, 2951 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Suite 161, Beaverton, OR 97005.

KARLEEN MCGILL, RN, BSN, COHN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSE CONSULTANT

RIVERVIEW HOSPITALWORKMED NOBLESVILLE. IND

1042