Lippincott Visual Nursing: A Guide to Clinical Diseases, Skills, and Treatments, Third Edition

Abstract

Many reference books are pages and pages of didactic material sparsely interspersed with pictures and tables. Lippincott Visual Nursing is an exception to that rule, and this book is particularly good for anyone who is a visual learner.The book is divided into 12 chapters. The first chapter discusses assessment, including taking a health history and evaluating symptoms. Many tables, charts, and algorithms are included in the chapter, as well as images and bulleted lists of steps in assessment techniques such as auscultation and palpation.Each of the rest of the chapters covers a body system: cardiovascular; respiratory; neurological; gastrointestinal; musculoskeletal; renal and urological; hematologic, immunologic, and oncologic; endocrine; integumentary; and female and male reproductive care.Chapters start with images and descriptions of normal organs and systems that can be compared with the information that follows. The chapters are further broken down into tests, such as laboratory work and diagnostic testing, followed by short descriptions of diseases and specific issues. For example, in the cardiovascular chapter, hypertension is listed as a disease, whereas disorders include vascular, structural, infectious/inflammatory, and arrhythmic. The final section of each chapter discusses treatments and procedures; in the cardiovascular chapter, this section reviews drug therapy, surgical and other procedures, and vascular interventions.Clearly, this book is not an exhaustive resource on every health problem. However, it is a great reference for nurses and other health care personnel needing a high-level review. The ability to connect concepts from “normal” through health problems and treatments for all body systems is valuable. Much of the content is in bulleted format, with enough white space to make it an easy reading experience.Because the content is not directed to any specific specialty, such as critical care or cardiac surgery, Lippincott Visual Nursing is a great basic reference for new nurses or an update for nurses reentering the workforce. This book is available both in eBook and audiobook formats.Although the title includes “visual nursing,” this is not a lightweight picture book. Lippincott Visual Nursing has value as reference and review book. Keep it in mind as a recommendation for a new learner or as a resource for your colleagues with less experience.