Acute Nursing Care

Delays in recognising deterioration or inappropriate management of people in acute care settings can result in late treatment, avoidable admissions to intensive care units and in some instances unnecessary deaths. As the role of the nurse in healthcare settings continues to change and evolve, todays student nurses need to be equipped with the fundamental skills to recognise and manage deterioration in the patient in a competent and confident manner, as they learn to become practitioners of the future.

Using a body systems approach and emphasising the central role and function of the nurse throughout, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the essential issues in this important subject.  Topics covered include: recognition and identification of physiological deterioration in adults; identification of disordered physiology that may lead to a medical emergency linked to deterioration of normal function; relevant anatomy and physiology; pathophysiological changes and actions that need to be taken; immediate recognition and response; investigations, diagnosis and management issues; and teaching and preventative strategies.

Key Features:

• Each chapter is written in an accessible, user-friendly style by a leading specialist in their field to provide informative, expert and practical coverage.
• The text refers to the 2010 NMC competencies throughout, and highlights contemporary and up to date sources on government policy and expert guidance.
• Relevant Case Studies are incorporated throughout to support discussion of the topics and enable students to effectively apply theory to clinical practice.
• Each chapter provides numerous self-test questions, revision exercises and sources for further reading, to support self-directed learning and promote understanding of key concepts.
• Contains numerous colour illustrations to inspire, interest and actively engage students.
• Aims and objectives are used to aid structured, guided learning, and a glossary of terms is provided for each chapter. 

Acute Nursing Care: Recognising and Responding to Medical Emergencies is an essential textbook for undergraduate students undertaking courses in nursing; it is also ideally suited for those studying related health care courses.

Ian Peate is a Professor of Nursing and Independent Consultant, formerly Head of the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, University of West London

Helen Dutton is a Senior Lecturer at the London College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, University of West London.