Understanding Medical-Surgical Nursing » (3rd Edition)

Paula D. Hopper, MSN, RN, Associate Professor — Medical-Surgical Nursing, Jackson Community College, Jackson, Michigan; Registered Nurse Care Coordinator, W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital, Jackson, Michigan
Linda S. Williams, MSN, RN,C,CS, Associate Professor — Medical-Surgical Nursing, Jackson Community College, Jackson, Michigan; Registered Nurse Care Coordinator, W. A. Foote Memorial Hospital, Jackson, Michigan

Focus: We use the nursing process to provide a unifying framework for the book. Within this framework we emphasize understanding, critical thinking, and application. We believe that the student who learns to think critically will be better able to apply information to new situations. Case studies appear throughout the chapters to foster critical thinking. These are followed by questions that require more than simple recall of material. Answers to these questions are included in the textbook to provide immediate feedback and to reinforce learning. Since illustrations enhance the understanding and readability of the text, we have included over 430 figures. Most of the artwork and photographs are original and specifically designed to support the text. Additional figures, tables, and boxed materials are used to clarify complex material.

Features of the textbook: Included in the textbook are items our students have found useful in our own LPN classrooms.

• Chapter objectives
• Review of anatomy and physiology at the beginning of each unit
• New word pronunciation section at the beginning of each chapter
• Information on the effects of aging on body systems and on the nursing care of older adults
• Learning tips throughout the chapters
• Word-building techniques
• Comprehensive glossary of new words
• Nursing care plans with geriatric considerations highlighted
• Common laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Brief pathophysiology for each illness
• Boxed presentations on gerontological issues, therapeutic nutrition, ethical considerations, and cultural considerations
• Hints for home health care providers
• Critical thinking exercises throughout the chapters
• Review questions at the end of each chapter

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Penny Wolfe Moore, RNC, PhD (Southwestern Adventist University)
Description: This general medical-surgical book is written for the LVN/LPN nursing student. In its second edition, this book is very comprehensive and places an emphasis on explaining the "why" of things.
Purpose: The authors state they ". . .worked hard to provide a text written at an understandable level, with features that help students understand, apply, and practice the challenging content required to function as a practical/vocational nurse." These are excellent objectives and well met with this book.
Audience: The authors are specific about the audience: practical/vocational nursing students and their faculty. The book might also be an asset in the school library for reference. The authors are credible, but the list of contributors does not include nurses in bedside practice, which is something that always concerns me.
Features: The book relies heavily on the disease system for content organization (i.e., care of patients with cancer etc.). Other chapters address critical thinking, the nursing process, ethical and legal issues, and cultural influences plus more. Some of the best features include the study questions at the beginning of each chapter, the color illustrations, and summary tables. The inclusion of the "whys" make it much like books used for RN education. Is that a shortcoming? It depends upon your approach.
Assessment: This is an excellent book. The color illustrations and photographs add to its value. New to this edition are chapters on alternative therapies, AIDS, patient perspectives (written by patients), and Web links for further study. Supplemental materials available include a student workbook, an instructor's guide, and an expanded computerized test bank.