Book Reviews
Midwifery & women's health nurse practitioner certification: Study question book (2nd edn)
By Beth M Kelsey, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana; Board of Directors, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
ISBN: 978-1-44962970-0 ; 2012; 104 pages; Jones Bartlett Learning, Sudbury MA;
Reviewed by Tom Laws
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide SA
Reviewed by Jane Warland
Lecturer, Division of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University odf South Australia; Midwife Calvary Hospital, Adelaide SA
This book is badged as 'the perfect guide for the AMCB or NCC exams' and consequently much of the content and the manner in which knowledge is organized pertains to midwifery in North America. The book is sectioned as chapter 1 - Primary care; chapter 2 - Gynecology; chapter 3 - Obstetrics and chapter 4 Professional issues.
Each chapter contains a list of multiple choice questions; much of the knowledge tested is situtated in a specific practice context. For example, the drug names and procedural terms are North American. The abbreviations used are generally not explained. Additionally, many of the scenarios describe situations well outside the usual scope of Australian Midwifery practice (even advanced practice). For example, the reader is expected to be able to make a differential diagnosis between Cholecyctitis and a Peptic ulcer.
The questions are grouped in sections labeled 'primary care, obstetrics, gynecology and professional issues' however, there is considerable overlap between sections and consequently the reader, who is presumably using this book to hone their examination technique, is required to move rapidly from one content area to another. The sequencing of questions appears random and this does not allow the reader to revise knowledge by beginning with easy (general) questions that gradually increase in acuity. These two points means that it is very difficult to use the book to systematically review a content area.
Whilst scenarios are supplied to tease out a series of appropriate responses, some of the scenarios are based on controversial or outdated obstetric practice. For example, the weighing of women at 'every' antenatal visit and routine infant suction for meconium stained liquor. For those who might think that this book could assist them in other exam preparation related to women's health we would suggest a better option; buy a text book with Australian / New Zealand that had been published in several editions; this type of text usually has relevant clinical / reflective questions at the end of each chapter (linked to chapter content). In summary, the major limitation of the book is that it would be only marginally useful for those outside North America.
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