Each chapter makes liberal use of headings and subheadings, allowing the text to be well spaced and easy to read. Complementing the text are tables, diagrams and black-and-white photos to clarify information. Thus, although the range of knowledge is vast, the chapters present the information in a concise and well-organised manner. Each chapter concludes with a comprehensive reference list to allow the interested reader to pursue issues further. A special feature is the inclusion of study questions at the end of each chapter. These questions address a wide range of issues associated with clinical practice, and therefore provide an invaluable way for readers to assess their knowledge.

Compared with similar texts, this book encompasses comprehensive information on all aspects of anaesthesia. Other tests tend to concentrate on specific areas. Such as the pharmacology of anaesthetic agents, recovery care, or tend to provide very basic information.

It is welcoming to see anaesthetic considerations across the lifespan, involving paediatric, obstetric and geriatric anaesthesia. Also pleasing is the inclusion of a chapter on ambulatory anaesthesia. Due to technological changes, improved use of anaesthetic agents and increased efficiency, ambulatory procedures are becoming more common.

Unfortunately, the pharmacology of anaesthetic agents if briefly covered. Pharmacological aspects of anaesthetic agents encompass only three chapters: Principles of pharmacology, pharmacology of intravenous agents and inhaled anaesthetics. As assessing and evaluating these agents are important roles for nurses who work in anaesthetic, perioperative and recovery room areas, I would like to see grater depth of pharmacological content. For instance, in Chapter 4, where depolarising and nondepolarising muscle relaxants are discussed, there should be further explanation about how these agents work at the receptor site. A thorough understanding of these mechanisms is essential for the nurse to comprehend rationales for clinical management. On a related issue, the text provides no discussion about the functions of major receptor sites of the body. Readers require a fundamental understanding of this key concept to further facilitate their knowledge about the actions of these agents.
Professional issues are located within the American context, where nurse anaesthesia is a recognised and licensed profession in its own right. Consequently, there is a heavy emphasis on legal aspects and role responsibilities that would involve a different perspective in the Australian setting. Furthermore, the use of the American version for drug names (e.g. lidocaine, meperidine, thiopental, epinephrine, furosemide), or of drugs that are unavailable in Australia (e.g. etidocaine, chloroprocaine, nalmafene, doxacurium), could create some confusion for the reader.

Overall, this is an excellent book for nurses undertaking post-graduate studies in perioperative and anaesthesia nursing. It is also suitable for nurses completing other post-graduate courses such as critical care or advanced clinical practice. Nurses who practice in these areas, will also find this text useful as a reference source.