Hardin SR, Kaplow R. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers; 2010. Paperback; 462 pages; $59.95. ISBN-13: 978-0-7637-5762-5

Cardiac Surgery Essentials for Critical Care Nursing is the newest resource available to nurses who care for cardiac surgery patients. The goal of the authors in developing this book was to make it useful to all nurses from novices to experts and to make the content specific to the cardiac surgery population rather than including all cardiothoracic procedures.

The first chapter is dedicated to the nurse and describes the characteristic of clinical judgment in relation to the critical care patient. This chapter sets the stage for the integration of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the care of the patient. It includes the concepts of team collaboration, communication, relationship with the patient and family, and incorporation of palliative and end-of-life care.

The following chapters provide an overview of the clinical pathway expected of...

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