JCN reviews and briefs books are other media resources as a service to our readers. We do not sell or profit financially from these books. If you cannot find a book in your local bookstore, either ask the bookstore to order it for you or contact the publisher directly. Most publishers have websites through which you can order their books. Book Briefs are short synopses based on the publisher's descriptions. JCN staff have not read or evaluated these books. Websites were current at the time of publication.
SPIRITUAL CARE
WHAT DO I SAY? TAlKING WITH PATIENTS ABOUT SPIRITUALITY
By Elizabeth Johnston Taylor, 157 pp., West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton, 2007, $29.95, paperback with DVD, $17.95 without DVD
Review:Spiritual Care: Nursing Theory, Research and Practice, 2002, Prentice Hall has done it again with another evidenced-based, how-to workbook about spiritual care. Based on her research, Taylor created a curriculum for healthcare professionals, clergy, social workers, and others who counsel people in difficult situations and are asked, why? Taylor approaches spiritual care as a learned skill. She begins by helping readers analyze why they need this skill, beyond simply wanting to help clients; evidence-based reasons show how spiritual health is related to physical and emotional health. An extensive section prepares readers to give spiritual care by first assessing their own spiritual needs. An outstanding feature is the exercises and case studies that take concepts from printed paper to action.
After Taylor prepares the readers, she elaborates on beginning the healing response by listening-what to listen for, how to listen, and how to make sense of what you hear. She helps us understand what spirituality looks and sounds like and what "spiritual needs" are. Following listening, Taylor guides readers through micro (building rapport, restating, open questions, reflect feelings/advance empathy, self-disclosure) and macro (story listening, body listening, nurturing resilience and reframing, religious practices) verbal skills for responding to patients' spiritual needs. FAQs are included such as, "What do I do when a patient talks on and on and I have to go?" along with a practice section which allows the reader to do spiritual care. Delightful cartoons visually illustrate key concepts and the accompanying DVD reinforces workbook lessons and exercises.
What Do I Say? is a wonderful addition to the nurse's spiritual care tool chest.-KSS
PEDIATRIC NURSING
ESSENTIALS OF PEDIATRIC NURSING
By Theresa Kyle, 1,184 pp., Philadelphia: Lippincott, $64.95, October 2007, hardcover.
Brief: This primary "essentials textbook" is intended specifically as the course text for the standard, increasingly shortened Pediatrics course in Associate Degree programs. The book covers topics of importance that are addressed in ADN programs without providing the unnecessary detail that is seen in virtually all essentials pediatrics texts on the market today. A helpful resource for nurses in direct pediatric patient care.
LIPPINCOTT MANUAL OF NURSING PRACTICE POCKET GUIDE: PEDIATRIC NURSING
By Springhouse, 480 pp., Philadelphia: Lippincott, $32.95, 2006, spiral-bound.
Brief: Designed for quick, easy point-of-care reference, the manual covers every aspect of pediatric nursing in a concise format packed with bulleted facts, tables, and illustrations. Recurring icons highlight key points such as life-threatening disorders, interdisciplinary care, patient teaching topics, and color illustrations of pathophysiology.
MOSBY'S PEDIATRIC DRUG CONSULT
By Catherine Jackson, 1,024 pp., St. Louis, MO: Mosby, $38.95, softcover.
Brief: This portable drug handbook includes all essential data pediatric nurses need for administering the most commonly-used generic and trade name drugs. Extensive pediatric considerations are presented in a concise, practice-oriented framework. The information is derived from the extensive database maintained for Mosby's Drug Consult, containing the most current drug information. Quarterly online updates are available on a companion website.
MCN, THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MATERNAL/CHILD NURSING
Margaret C. Freda, Editor, Bimonthly, Philadelphia: Lippincott, $53.91 individual, journal.
Brief:MCN's mission is to provide the most timely, relevant information to nurses practicing in perinatal, neonatal, midwifery, and pediatric specialties. MCN, a peer-reviewed journal, publishes clinically relevant practice and research manuscripts aimed at assisting nurses toward evidence-based practice. MCN focuses on today's major issues and high priority problems in maternal/child nursing, women's health, and family nursing with extensive coverage of advanced practice healthcare issues relating to infants and young children.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NURSING OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF PEDIATRIC NURSES AND THE PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY NURSING SOCIETY
Cecily Lynn Betz, Editor-in-Chief, Bimonthly, New York: Saunders, $83.00 individual, journal.
Brief:The Journal of Pediatric Nursing provides original, peer-reviewed research based on the philosophy that pediatric nursing incorporates a family-centered approach. It serves as a forum for the dissemination of current information. Content appeals to the staff nurse as well as management, and journal material provides a lasting reference source. Divergent points of view are presented to provide a comprehensive discussion of subjects.
WHEN INVISIBLE CHILDREN SING
By Dr. Chi Huang with Irwin Tang, 305 pp., SaltRiver: Wheaton, IL. 2006, $19.99, hardcover.
Review: The cover doesn't come close to illustrating the living conditions of street children in Bolivia, or elsewhere for that matter. Huang, a Harvard Medical School graduate, spent the early days of his career treating street children. Nothing prepared him for what he'd encounter on the streets. The personal stories of children captivate and grab one's attention; and pull at one's heart.
Huang writes, "I am drawn to abandoned street children. They are the poorest of the poor, the forgotten of the forgotten[horizontal ellipsis]. Where does that leave street children living alone on the street? On the blind side of averted eyes" (p. 65). Huang briefly tells of his work during the day at local Bolivian orphanages and shares details of his nights on the streets with the kids. By treating their wounds, playing soccer, and standing up to other adults who threaten the children, he slowly gains their trust. For many, the trust is not enough to coax them off the street. Huang describes how young children survive on the streets and why many choose to stay.
By reading the personal accounts of five children, one walks with Huang through the dark streets of La Paz, Bolivia. Sometimes the stories are tragic; a few have happier endings. None are without pain. Some children would rather live on the street than risk being abused by adults. Ninety percent of La Pez's abandoned children have been physically abused and more than 90 percent use paint thinner as a means of warming their cold bodies.
Although some parts of the book are hard to read, they are necessary to understanding the plight of children living on the streets. I encourage you to go where few North Americans have gone-to homeless children.
The Bolivian Street Children Project (BSCP) was founded by Huang to make invisible street children visible. Visit http://www.bolivianstreetchildren.org to learn how you can assist. -CW
WHEN PARENTS SAY NO RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON PEDIATRIC HEALTHCARE TREATMENT
By Luanne Linnard-Palmer, 176 pp., Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International, $29.94, 2006, softcover.
Review: This scholarly, peer-reviewed book expands nursing knowledge about pediatric medical treatment refusals and stimulates nurses into discussion about this controversial topic. The author has dealt with parental refusal situations many times in her nursing career, providing the reason behind the book.
Having faced this issue as a pediatric nurse, Linndar-Palmer brings much needed clarification. Case studies and current findings, along with consideration of state and federal laws, concerning the topic of pediatric medical treatment refusals are discussed in an academic, yet easily comprehensible approach. Ethical and legal aspects of these situations are discussed. The historical background is covered and ethnographic research is utilized to add to the knowledge base concerning parental refusal. An appendix, "Guidelines for Staff Facing Parental Refusal of Pediatric Treatment," could be very helpful to staff nurses as they deal with the conflict between parents and medical staff. This conflict leaves the nurse caught in the middle, with divided loyalties. With the vast religious and cultural diversity within society, it behooves pediatric nurses to understand what prompts parents to make the difficult decision to refuse medical treatment for their child, and learn how to manage the situation within the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship. The author gives the pediatric nurse insight into therapeutic methods to best give nursing care to these children and their families, while also caring for themselves, in an emotionally difficult situation.-Genie Ford, RN, MSN, Adjunct Clinical Instructor and Pediatric Staff Nurse, Oklahoma City, OK; Volunteer Staff, Nurses Christian Fellowship
ADHD GROWN UP A GUIDE TO ADOLESCENT AND ADULT ADHD
By Joel L. Young, 336 pp., New York: Norton Professional, $24.95, 2007, hardcover.
Review: Currently, 6-9% of all children are diagnosed with ADHD. Despite the growing awareness, healthcare clinicians and the public continue to under appreciate the significance of ADHD in adolescents and adults. Forty to seventy percent of children diagnosed as kids will continue to struggle with the disorder as adolescents and adults. As often occurs with children, adolescents and adults with ADHD may be "misdiagnosed" as anxious, depressed, inattentive, lazy, or malingering.
Young, a psychiatric neurologist, has worked with ADHD for over fifteen years and writes from extensive clinical and research experience. Information on diagnosing and treating ADHD in adolescents and adults, misdiagnosis, and conditions that may have similar symptoms such as fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes is provided. Young details comorbid conditions (i.e., learning disorders, depression) and how clinicians can differentiate between ADHD alone and ADHD as a co-occurring problem. Tools for self evaluation and self report that can be used by clinicians and the public are included in the appendices.
ADHD is surrounded by myth and misunderstanding. Young offers sound, evidenced-based practice information that clears the air and offers help to all seeking to understand this disorder.-KSS
INTERNET RESOURCES
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
http://www.aap.org/
Brief: The American Academy of Pediatrics, the leading authority on children's healthcare, web site provides general information relating to the healthcare of children and adolescents. Information on advocacy, research, membership professional educations, and publications is available. This is a comprehensive, user-friendly resource for healthcare professionals and the public.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CHILDREN
http://www.idinchildren.com/
Brief: This web site feathers the online version of the journal Infectious Diseases in Children, with full text of all articles available online (current and back issues). The site also features breaking news, specialty forums, online seminars and a professional marketplace. Searching, article directories, and interactive features (online seminars, chat room) are included. The site is well organized and user-friendly.
MARCH OF DIMES
http://www.marchofdimes.com/
Brief: A good user-friendly web site, this site has information for professionals and lay persons. News, statistics, continuing education, and medical references are available. An exceptional resource is the March of Dimes Fact Sheets which covers a wide range of perinatal and genetic topics. The fact sheets are for use by patients and healthcare professionals. Each sheet is reviewed by leading experts so you can be assured the information included is accurate and up-to-date.