The Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing (Seventh Edition)
Hickey, J. V., Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2014, $114.00, ISBN: 978-1-4511-7267-6.
In this, the latest edition of a classic neuroscience nursing resource book, Dr. Hickey has built on her earlier work while addressing recent U.S. healthcare imperatives related to safety and quality. The book begins with an overview of trends that influence healthcare delivery as well as the science of neuroscience nursing. Running through the first chapters are threads from several of the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) policy- and practice-focused initiatives. Dr. Hickey also provides the reader with foundations through which one can understand care settings, transitions, and ethics.
The "meat" of the book includes basic concepts related to neuroanatomy, neurophysiology diagnostic tests, procedures and imaging critical to care, and assessment and examination techniques and assessment parameters. These chapters are supported by great illustrations, tables, and charts that illustrate key concepts of "normal" and "abnormal." Neuroendocrine disorders, pharmacologic management, and a framework for rehabilitation complete the overview portion of the book.
Dr. Hickey then moves the reader into chapters that outline the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of specific neurologic and neurosurgical conditions. Included in each chapter are interdisciplinary care plans. Assessment tools such as the Glasgow Coma Scale, the FOUR (Full Outline of Unresponsiveness) SCORE, the Ramsey Scale, and Grading System for Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) are woven into each section to support understanding of the care needed. Illustrations, tables, charts, and photographs are again included in every chapter.
This book provides information useful to nurses with many different levels of experience and expertise. For hospital educators and academic faculty, it is a great starting (or maybe ending) point for teaching. References following each chapter are current and lead the reader to more detailed, current evidence for practice; websites available to professionals and the lay public are also provided as resources. This book should be a part of every neuroscience nurse's arsenal of learning resources. Dr. Hickey has again completed a masterful work!
Reviewed by V. Susan Carroll, MS RN-BC, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Neuroscience Nursing.