Advanced Practice Nursing Ethics in Chronic Disease Management
Reviewed by: Janet Batt, MA, CNS, RN-BC
By Barbara Klug Redman. New York, New York: Springer; 2013. 206 pp. $45.00. ISBN 978-0-8261-9572-2.
This book aims to present a framework for the just and equitable practice of patient self-management (PSM) in chronic disease. The author explores previous research and current practices within a range of disciplines including advanced nursing practice, psychology, ethics, and social policy.
The intended audience for this discussion ranges from health and social care educators, advance practice nurses, and graduate students. Many will find it to be a helpful study aid as concepts related to ethics and chronic disease management are explored.
Past and present concerns with PSM, including cultural and financial issues, individual patient capabilities, clinical assumptions, and equity related to education and compliance are discussed. Exploration of the "best practices" used by various practitioners are presented and may generate ideas for application to other settings. In addition, details of problems encountered with current technology and measurement tools are discussed.
An ethical framework approach for discussion and presentation of concepts imparts new information in an interesting, thoughtful manner. This enhanced the overall organization of the book, which was clear and logical. The preface was particularly informative and should be read by all.
The content in this book is relevant today, given that we are generally living longer, and our patients frequently now have multiple chronic health conditions. Consequently, PSM is crucial for education, disease improvement or stability, enhancement of coping strategies, and empowerment.
The author frequently uses diabetes as an example, but it would have been helpful to have had a definition of what constitutes chronic disease. It often refers to the vulnerable or those making poor health choices. Although it is difficult to classify chronic diseases, I was glad to see inclusion of rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis in these discussions. Autoimmune diseases are rarely highlighted as the subject of review, support, and possible PSM opportunities. Many of the examples used in this book were for more preventable conditions or conditions that can be halted or perhaps even reversed with health education.
I would have liked to have seen reference to early palliative care support for those with chronic diseases with a holistic approach to care. Palliative care support helps to incorporate social, emotional, and spiritual well-being, with additional focus on optimal pain and symptom control.
The book is very well written. The question-and-answer format is useful and a great way to clarify understanding of the chapter. The case studies were important and added to thoughtful reflection on topics and situations discussed. References to the United Kingdom and European practices were appreciated for other perspectives on this subject.
This book would benefit advanced practice nurses, nurse educators, and anyone working with those living with chronic disease and interested in policy and ethics. I certainly recommend this book to others.
Fast Facts About EKGs for Nurses: The Rules of Identifying EKGs in a Nutshell
Reviewed by: Diana Tai, MSN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN
By Michele Angell Landrum. New York, New York: Springer; 2014. 126 pp. $30.00. ISBN 978-0-8261-2006-9.
Both comprehensive and easy to use, this electrocardiography (EKG) resource provides advanced practice nurses and nurses new to EKG interpretation a basic 5-step guide for EKG analysis. The numerous EKG practice strips and clinical scenarios provide an opportunity to review the skills necessary to correctly identify an EKG rhythm. Clinical pearls can be found throughout the book in order to give readers fast facts at a glance. Complex cardiac concepts such as anatomy and cardiac electrical conduction are simplified through illustrations and easy-to-follow analogies. The core content of the book is organized into 2 main parts: concept comprehension and application. This approach provides readers with a fair foundation of EKG basic theory prior to application to clinical situations.
This book discusses only 1 method of heart rate measurement. Additional methods to calculate heart rate may be important for clinical care; other resources may need to be accessed to more completely acquire this skill. This book should be utilized in adjunct with other resources to gain further skills and depth of knowledge for EKG interpretation.