пятница, 14 сентября 2012 г.

Self-Assessment Color Review of Pediatric Nursing & Child Health.(Review) - Pediatric Nursing

Self-Assessment Color Review of Pediatric Nursing & Child Health Publication Date: 2000 By Veronica D. Feeg, Judith Hunter, and Marion E. Broome London, England: Manson Publishing (Available through Jannetti Publications, Inc., E. Holly Ave, Pitman, NJ 08071-0056)

'This infant has been seen by the pediatrician for seborrheic dermatitis affecting the diaper (nappy) area,' reads the caption accompanying the color photo, one of over 120 scenarios that set the stage for an innovative question-and-answer book for pediatric (paediatric) nurses that bridges the Atlantic in both spirit and content.

Today's nurse must be well versed in all aspects of health care of children over the developmental periods of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Health promotion and disease prevention are two such aspects that the nurse may address in community or acute, critical, or general hospital settings. Developed by a transatlantic partnership between three pediatric nurse experts, two from the United States and one from the United Kingdom, Self-Assessment Color Review of Pediatric Nursing and Child Health (sold in the U.K. as the Self-Assessment Colour Review of Paediatric Nursing and Child Health) provides nurses with a review of questions and answers that covers an assortment of topics, conditions, and care roles in pediatric settings in the USA and UK.

With the aim of both educating as well as testing knowledge, the editors used a conceptual framework that is rooted in the nursing process, assessment of common childhood conditions, and management of clinical care. They developed a matrix of developmental periods subdivided by the aspects of acute/critical conditions, chronic conditions, and health promotion or disease prevention, and related this to a list of diseases and childhood problems. From there, a variety of clinical problems were generated related to nursing care. Contributors representing expertise in pediatric nursing from the USA and UK were asked to develop questions and answers concerning these clinical problems.

For example, regarding the infant mentioned above, two questions are asked:

I. How does the appearance and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis differ from that of irritant dermatitis and atopic eczema in infancy?

II. What therapies play a role in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis affecting other areas of the infant, including the scalp, face, and upper trunk?'

The reader turns the page for the answers. This simple format is an excellent learning strategy by presenting an opportunity for the reader to think through the possible answers and then immediately verify his or her answers by turning the page.

A variety of approaches exist for using the book. For example, the reader may select a specific topic from a listing of the classification of cases and just focus a review in a particular area of interest or need. Subjects covered include anemia, cardiac problems, Down syndrome, drug overdose and exposure, neck and spinal injuries, eating disorders, poisoning, orthopedic surgery, renal disease, respiratory disease, physical abuse, burns, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, infectious diseases, trauma, allergies, growth and development, AIDS and HIV, asthma, otitis, and skin disorders.

On the other hand, the reader may want to start at the beginning of the book and review each case in the order it appears. The cases are presented in random order, reflecting real-life practice. The outstanding illustrations and photos that accompany the cases add to the realism and sense of actually being there.

Cases vary in difficulty from relatively simple to complex, making this book an excellent resource for students as well as experienced clinicians. A listing of common and not-so-common abbreviations and their meanings further this wonderful book's efforts to meet the needs of a wide span of learners.

As pediatric nursing becomes more specialized, nurses working in child or family settings can benefit by periodically stretching their repertoire of knowledge over the expanse of information requisite in general pediatric practice. Self-Assessment Color Review of Pediatric Nursing & Child Health provides not only a sound but an enjoyable, even fun, method to address this need.

Editors' Choice is a bimonthly 'biased' book review on a hot new book for pediatric nurses! Each issue, a member of the Pediatric Nursing editorial board picks a recent favorite publication and offers readers a brief description of why they would recommend it for their personal or library collections.

Judy Rollins, MS, RN, is Associate Editor of Pediatric Nursing.