Highly dependent patients are nursed in a variety of clinical areas. High Dependency Nursing Care has been written for nurses caring for these patients or undertaking post-registration courses to prepare them for high dependency nursing. Written by a team of nurses experienced in providing, supporting and developing high dependency care, it discusses practical issues and explores the current evidence base for clinical practice.
Structured in four parts, the first, Perspectives on High Dependency Care explores the contexts of care, focusing on fundamental aspects, like sleep, nutrition, pain management and stress, demonstrating how to achieve quality nursing care. Pathophysiology and Treatments describes the main diseases that cause critical illness and the treatments that patients will often be given. Critically ill patients need to be monitored closely so Monitoring and Skills enables nurses to interpret and understand the information gained from observation and monitoring. The final part, Professional Issues explores topics like Clinical Governance, Reflection, Practice Development and Managing Change to assist nurses in developing their own clinical practice and professional development.
The book will be useful for qualified nurses caring for highly dependent patients and for nurses undertaking a range of post-registration courses. The book will also be useful to pre-registration nurses and other healthcare professionals involved in caring for highly dependent patients in a variety of clinical areas. Comprehensive, clearly written and practically-based, this excellent resource includes learning outcomes, fundamental knowledge, introductions, time out exercises, implications for practice, websites and up-to-date references.
