Book Review
Australia New Zealand Nursing Drug Handbook (3rd Edn)
Lim A, McKenzie G (eds)
ISBN: 192099-40-3-3 2006 xiv+1066 pages pages Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Beverley Glass
Professor, School of Pharmacy and Molecular, Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville QLD
John Smithson
Lecturer, School of Pharmacy and Molecular Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville QLD
This Australian and New Zealand handbook is a comprehensive easy-to-use resource for all nurses from new graduates requiring the basics of drug indications, side effects, and dosages to that of the advanced practitioner and nurse practitioner, assisting prescribing to all areas of nursing practice. The introductory chapters present important underpinning knowledge on drug actions, interactions and reactions. Also included are examples of clinically important pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions, issues associated with dosage forms, adverse reactions, issues surrounding children, the elderly, pregnancy and lactation.
A strong emphasis on clinical aspects of drug administration is evident. The nursing process, which involves assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation is included to guide nurse prescribing towards patient safety and to ensure that legal and medical requirements are considered.
The subsequent chapters cover the therapeutic drug classes, with drugs that have multiple therapeutic uses classified logically according to their most common use. For each therapeutic category, the trade names are included of all drugs and combination products, making for easy identification of drugs during patient history taking. For each drug, the trade names and pregnancy risk categories are included.
Other headings included are indications; dosages and action, with a table under action providing succinct information on the route of administration; and onset, peak, and duration of action - which is a particular strength of this publication. The classification of adverse reactions by body system such as CNS or GI is a reliable way of identifying drug-drug and drug-food interactions. Information under nursing considerations and patient teaching provide all levels of practitioners with further patient-focused essential information.
We would highly recommend this handbook as being essential to nursing students and those in clinical practice in drug administration and monitoring.
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