Nutritional Management of Renal Disease

Just the Facts: Fluid and Electrolytes
First Edition 2005
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
323 Norristown Road Suite 200
Ambler, PA. 19002
www.lww.com
ISBN 1-58255-340-8
244 pages, soft cover/spiral bound, $34.95

Just the Facts: Fluids and Electrolytes  contains a lot of useful information, especially for the new graduate.  It is very easy reading and the chapters flow along nicely. The start of the book reviews the basics of fluid balance. The next few chapters focus on electrolyte balance, acid base balance, and hydration statuses. The chapters that follow review the basic hyper and hypo-electrolyte imbalances. Most interesting are the bullet points given in each chapter allowing you to easily pull facts from these areas.  The diagrams given in each chapter review the basic principles of the electrolyte systems involved and how the mechanisms work for that process. These diagrams are extremely helpful for visualizing the occurring events.  The pathophysiology given for each electrolyte is an excellent review. An end of chapter summary gives helpful ways to prevent and manage the imbalances and lists drugs that may cause the imbalance. The chapters involving the acid-base imbalances are very in-depth. You are able to visualize the pathophysiology by the excellent diagrams given, signs and symptoms, diagnostic test results and management of the problem.

The next chapters focus on metabolic disorders that can cause electrolyte imbalances. The review of the heart, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and burns are all very thorough and well written.  The last chapter deals with treatments of these disorders and explain how the treatment options, intravenous replacement, total parental nutrition (TPN), dialysis, and transfusions will maintain or correct the disorder.  All sections have helpful alert warnings at the end of the chapter to inform the reader about age issues, drug administration or interactions regarding the subject matter.

This book would be a wonderful resource for both new graduates and more experienced nurses who would like a basic review of human fluids and electrolytes. All in all, this is an excellent book with a pages of useful information for everyday practice.

Karen Bramley RN, CNN, CCTC
Clinical Transplant Coordinator
Porter Adventist Hospital
Member, ANNA High County Chapter

Nursing Spectrum Drug Handbook 2005
Patricia Dwyer Schull
Premier 2005 Edition
Nursing Spectrum
2002 Renaissance Blvd., Suite 250
King of Prussia, PA.  19406
www. nursingspectrum.com
Additional website companion to book
www.nursesdrughandbook.com
ISBN: 193074501X
Hardcover, 1324 pages, $37.95

When Nursing Spectrum  set out to create a drug reference, they traveled around the country to try to find out exactly what nurses wanted in a compact drug handbook.   They discovered that patient safety was a primary concern and that the specific feature valued most was “ease of use.” After examining this book, I believe they have reached their goals.

The book is separated into three parts. The first part covers Drugs A to Z, using approximately 3,000 trade drugs and 1,000 generic drugs. Each monograph includes the drug’s action, indications, dosages, contraindications, administration guidelines, adverse reactions with life-threatening reactions in bold lettering, off-label uses, five-way interactions including interactions with herbs, patient monitoring, patient teaching, and letter tabs for easy access. I especially liked the red Clinical Alert symbol which immediately drew my eyes and attention to any potential dangers. Section one also includes a photo gallery of common tablets and capsules with high quality color photographs.

The safe drug administration section is also included in section one; however, one must thumb through the book to locate it. Perhaps combining this section with the photo gallery would be more helpful. The section provides reliable information with charts on drug compatibilities, conversions and calculations, and treatment guidelines for emergencies such as anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, stroke, hypertensive crisis, hyperglycemic crisis, insulin shock, and preventing and treating extravasations.
 
Part two includes ophthalmic drugs, drug classes, vitamins and minerals, and herbs and supplements. Part three is the appendices. Some of the topics in this section include normal laboratory values for blood tests, tablets and capsules not to crush, drug names that look or sound alike, and effects of dialysis on drug therapy showing which drugs are removed and not removed during dialysis.

In addition to the three parts and in keeping with the safety theme, the inside of the front cover provides a list of common abbreviations. The ones with a Clinical Alert Logo have been identified as contributing to medication errors in 2004 by JCAHO for its National Patient Safety Goals and are to be spelled out to avoid errors. Needless to say, this feature is nice to have when we’re asked to take down those verbal and telephone orders.

Lastly, this book comes with its own website (www.nursesdrughandbook.com), which is chockfull of information including summaries of recent drug news.

I believe that Nursing Spectrum has come through with a book that will provide an invaluable resource for nurses interested in providing a safer and more effective environment for patients and nurses.