Patricia Gonce Morton, Dorrie K. Fontaine, Carolyn M. Hudak, Barbara M. Gallo. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2005. Hardcover, 1376 pages. ISBN: 0-7817-2759-6.
What makes a classic? I admit, when I hear the word, a black tuxedo or herringbone tweed come to mind. Classic in its purest sense means that it stands the test of time and that is exactly what the 8th edition of Critical Care Nursing: A Holistic Approach does. For almost 30 years this text has introduced, developed, honed, and enriched the practice of numerous critical care nurses. A classic also implies a static condition, never changing and in that sense the 8th edition cannot meet the definition. Over the past 30 years, this book has maintained its simple yet elegant approach to knowledge and skill development, but it has added numerous details that make this newest edition a superb resource for novices and seasoned nurses,...