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

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