An essential practical guide to all nurses working in intensive care. The second edition of this popular textbook encompasses the knowledge, skills and expertise employed in nursing the critically ill patient. It highlights the priorities of care and the principles of management in a range of problems common in the ICU. The reader will benefit from the strong clinical foundation and the high level of expertise of the authors. Emphasis is placed on the nursing aspects of a multi-disciplinary approach to caring for the critically ill patient. The structure of the book allows new students to understand the physiology underlying the patient's condition before concentrating on the priorities of interventions and nursing care.

1. The critical care continuum; 2. The critical care environment; 3. The patient within the critical care environment; 4. Respiratory problems; 5. Monitoring the critically ill patient; 6. Cardiovascular problems; 7. Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; 8. Cardiac surgery; 9. Renal problems; 10. Neurological problems; 11. Gastrointestinal problems and nutrition; 12. The systemic inflammatory response, sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction; 13. Trauma; 14. Haematological problems; 15. The immune system and the immunocompromised patient; 16. Endocrine, obstetric and drug overdose emergencies; 17. Evaluating the effects of care in the critical care unit

Sheila K. AdamNurse Consultant in Critical Care, University College Hospitals, London, UK, Sue OsborneIndependent Nurse Consultant in Critical Care, UK

From a review of the previous edition: