GENERAL INTEREST topics relevant to the management of all
patients.
Blood Pressure (Biophysical Measurement
Series)
By Andrew R . Nara, Michael P. Burns,
W. Gregory Downs
1989,109 p p
$28 paperback
Although there are no photographs in Blood
Pressure, the line drawings are so well done
that the anatomy is realistic. Physics concepts
also are presented with line drawings.
Definitions are given in the basic text and then
are written in a concise glossary. Wave forms
are demonstrated and interpreted. Invasive and
noninvasive techniques of measuring blood
pressure are described, and errors in measure-
ment are addressed. Drawings illustrate an arte-
rial line and how to decipher wave forms.
This book explains a basic form of measure-
ment in terms anyone can understand. It is a
good book for students or for anyone who
needs a reminder. The book is well worth the
price. It covers the topic, is reasonably priced,
and because of the large print, is easy to read.
The authors did an excellent job on this book,
which could be improved only if new methods
of measurement are introduced.
This book is available from SpaceLabs, Inc,
4200 150th Ave NE, PO Box 97013, Redmond,
WA 98073-9713.
DIANNA BASHLINE, RN, MA, CRNA
NURSEANESTHETIST
ST FRANCIS HOSPITAL
NEWCASTLE, PA
Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment,
ninth ed
Edited by Lawrence W . Way
1991, 1,359 p p
$39.9.5 paperback
The ninth edition is a superior reference for
health professionals who have a surgical per-
spective. All care givers will find the text use-
ful, because approximately one-third of the
information covers general medical and nursing
1584
The book is well organized and targets body
systems and specific organs. Two chapters are
devoted to acquired and congenital diseases of
the heart. In addition, physiology is explored
in chapters that deal with everything from sur-
gical metabolism and nutrition to the conse-
quences of trauma. Each chapter concludes
with current references to guide the reader fur-
ther. The illustrations are clear and pertinent.
The amount of information offered is tremen-
dous, yet the focused approach keeps the read-
er on course.
The opening sentence sets a positive tone for
the OR staff member. The author states, “The
successful management of surgical disorders
requires the effective application of broad
knowledge of the basic sciences to the prob-
lems of diagnosis and total care before, during,
and after the operation; and a genuine sympa-
thy for, understanding of, and indeed love for
the patient.” This book will help the reader
achieve the first point, and hopefully, the sec-
ond one will be instinctive.
This book is available from Appleton &
Lange, 25 Van Zant St, East Norwalk, CT
06855.
MARYJANEC. EDWARDS, RN
NURSING UNIT COORDINATOR/MAIN OR,
CYSTO, IN-OUT SURGERY
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
MEDICAL CENTER
WASHINGTON, DC