Critical Care Nursing Secrets
Hildy M. Schell and Kathleen A Puntillo
Second Edition, 2006
Mosby Elsevier
St Louis, MO
www.us.elsevierhealth.com
ISBN: 0323041787
Soft cover, 819 pages, U.S. $42.95

The stated purpose of Critical Care Nursing Secrets is that it “is designed to help experienced and inexperienced critical care nurses to access necessary, to-the-point information that directly affects practice.” The book is divided into 11 broad topics: cardiovascular; tissue oxygenation and acid-base; respiratory; infection control; hematology, oncology, and immunology; neurology; gastroenterology and renal; metabolic and endocrine; pain, sedation and neuromuscular blockade; drugs and alcohol; skin, wound care, and physical therapy; family; and end-of-life issues. These broad topics are then broken down into 79 individual chapters.

Each chapter follows a question/answer format: a clinical topic is framed as a question and then explained in enough detail to enable the reader to use the information to enhance evidenced-based clinical practice. At the end of each chapter, the “Key Points” text box reiterates the clinical points which the reader should take from the chapter. The format of the book is organized and very readable. The charts, diagrams, and text boxes are clear, concise, and usable.

The major strengths of this book are its readability and conciseness. The information is well presented, technically correct, well organized, and clear. The book can be used as an introductory learning tool, a refresher, or kept as a reference.

Critical Care Nursing Secrets is a useful reference and guide for both the new and seasoned critical care nurse. It is also a useful reference for acute hemodialysis nurses because it allows them to expand their evidence-based critical care practice.

Maria Toplosky BSN, RN, CNN
Vascular Access Coordinator/Acute Dialysis RN
Lawrence and Memorial Hospital
New London, CT
Member, ANNA’s Mass Bay Chapter