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it could be more effective at the beginning of the text.

The authors describe embryological events and other general medical-surgical material. This seems to overlap information found in general medical- surgical textbooks. The second edition is 300 pages longer than the first and could be shortened by eliminating this section. Specialty references become valuable to educators and clinical practitioners when they are concise and embellish that particular specialty.

The authors again have overwhelming docu- mentation of their information. The book represents an outstanding reference in cardiac nursing.

The book is available from J B Lippincott Co, East Washington Sq, Philadelphia, PA 19 10.5.

SHIRLEY MOORE, RN, MSN FACULTY

BARNES COLLEGE OF NURSING ST LOUIS

Practical Guide to the Care of the Surgical Patient, third ed. By Robert L. McEntyre 1989, 348pp $22.95 spiral bound

This manual is intended for physicians, residents, medical students, nurses, and paramedics. Each section is prefaced with helpful information about its contents. The concise outline format makes this a quick reference guide to orders, medications and dosages, signs and symptoms of diseases, laboratory tests, and surgical procedures. The diseases included focus on the surgical patient, so the reader will not find information on medical conditions (eg, spinal meningitis).

The user can personalize this guide by listing key telephone numbers (eg, departments, nursing stations) in the first four pages of the manual. The text ends with a chapter on abbreviations and a thorough index.

An updated medication list, a new table on cephalosporins, and 60 new laboratory tests are included in this latest edition. It is still pocket- sized, but is larger than the previous edition. Any further expansion may make it difficult to fit in

the pocket of a lab coat. The price of the third edition is $5 more than the second edition.

The author should be commended for keeping this handy reference updated and retaining its usable format. My only criticism is that the chapter on basic invasive procedures is not enlarged or enhanced in this edition. It includes only four procedures that can be accomplished on the medical unit (ie, central venous catheter insertion, chest tube insertion, lumbar puncture, and peritoneal lavage). The title of the chapter implies that it contains specific techniques for procedures performed in the OR.

The book is available from The C V Mosby Co, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63 146.

MARY Lou SULLINS, RN, MEd, CNOR RELIEF ASSISTANT

DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATOR KAISER PERMANENTE

FONTANA, CALIF

Operative Surgery: Principles and Techniques, third ed. Edited by Paul B Nora 1990, 1,412 pp $154.70 clothbound

This book is an excellent reference for surgeons, residents, OR nurses, technicians, and first assistants. This comprehensive textbook details preoperative considerations, precautions, surgical techniques, and postoperative follow-up. A variety of operative procedures are clearly illustrated.

The editor is a professor of clinical surgery at Northwestern University Medical School and chairman of the Department of Surgery at Columbus Hospital, Chicago.

One hundred twenty-one physicians contrib- uted to this edition, 32 more than the previous edition. This latest edition is much easier to read because of its bolder type. It contains updated information regarding modern clinical surgery. New chapters on skin, soft tissue tumors, and trauma surgery have been added. Other chapters have been revised and expanded. New illustrations complement the text.

The book is available from W B Saunders Co,

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The Curtis Center, Independence Sq West, Philadelphia, PA 19 106.

PEARL M. TORRESYAP, RN, CNOR

BOSTON VETERANS ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL CENTER

THORACIC CHARGE NURSE

NURSING PROCESS

Mastering the Nursing Process: A Case Method Approach By Jean D’Meza Leuner, Anne Keiran Manton, Dorothy Bagnell Kelliher, Sharon I? Sullivan, Meg Doherty 1990,494 pp $24.95 paperback

The authors of this text have incorporated the case method teaching strategy into their presen- tation of the nursing process. They believe case studies help students synthesize data, consider additional information, and arrive at nursing diagnoses based on the information at hand. Given the case study, students are expected to plan the nursing care of the patient, determine priorities, identify appropriate interventions, and establish criteria to effectively measure the interventions.

Most of the cases presented are associated with medical-surgical issues, although cases related to pediatric, obstetrical, community health, and psychiatric nursing practice also are included. Case presentations are intended to be representative of patients in these specialty areas rather than all inclusive.

Each unit in this book contains two case studies accompanied by additional information on anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, and common clinical findings to help the reader critically examine each case. The inclusion of this information emphasizes the importance of a knowledge base for nursing practice and a systematic, organized approach to nursing care planning.

The authors chose a range of nursing diagnoses, and some are repeated to demonstrate how each care plan is specific for each patient. The information is presented in a highlighted, boldfaced format that makes it easy to locate specifics.

Rationale for interventions are included to increase the reader’s understanding. This book is pertinent for all levels of nursing education, and its structure makes it appropriate for seminar settings or individual student use.

The book is available from F A Davis Co, 1915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

JULIETTE HENNESSY, RN, BSN QUALITY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST/

INFECTION CONTROL ST MARY-CORWIN HOSPITAL

PUEBLO, COLO

MANAGEMENT

Management Practices for the Health Professional, fourth ed. By B. B. Longest, Jr 1 9 9 0 , 2 1 2 ~ ~ $29.95 clothbound

The author of this interesting book has a doctorate in public health and is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Business. He identified his audience as health professionals preparing for managerial positions of responsibility. The author met his purpose of writing a sophisticated and readable book built on research from the practice of health services management.

The text begins with a concise overview of the resources and problems affecting health care organizations, ranging from nursing homes to health maintenance organizations. The remainder of the book reviews the characteristics of a successful manager and the managerial functions of planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling. Many management theories are referenced throughout the book to help the reader understand each managerial function. Various approaches for instituting changes and resolving conflicts associated with change also are included.

This book is readable and holds the reader’s attention. The text is elementary for those with backgrounds in administration, but it would prove useful for anyone entering a management position for the first time. The author’s logic is sound, and he includes pertinent research and theory in each chapter.

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