AORN Journal
Volume 91, Issue 2 , Pages 308-309, February 2010

Nurse Anesthesia

Nurse Anesthesia

Article Outline

 
Nurse Anesthesia
John J. Nagelhout, Karen Plaus, Elsevier Mosby Saunders, 2010, 1,408 pages, $110 hardcover

This book is written primarily for nurse anesthesia providers, but there also are several chapters that would interest and educate perioperative nurses. The first edition of the book was published in the early 1990s to fill a need for a scientifically based, clinically oriented resource for nurse anesthesia. With many experts in the field as contributors, this fourth edition is presented as the most comprehensive text on nurse anesthesia.

The book is organized in an easy-to-use format with basic principals first, followed by specific chapters on surgical specialties. There are five units containing four to 34 chapters. References are available at the end of each chapter.

The first unit of the book discusses the history of nurse anesthesia and the development of nurse anesthesia in the United States. Nurse anesthesia has been in existence for more than 125 years, and, in 1931, the professional American Association of Nurse Anesthetists was founded. It is interesting to follow the development of the nurse anesthesia position from the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Desert Storm, 9/11, and recent military encounters. Progress in nurse anesthesia has occurred over the years leading to an extraordinary record of patient safety.

The second unit of the book presents the scientific foundation of nurse anesthesia. It explains the agents of anesthesia:

■pharmacodynamics,

■pharmacokinetics,

■inhalation anesthetics,

■IV induction agents,

■local anesthetics,

■neuromuscular blocking agents,

■reversal agents,

■cardiac pharmacology, and

■chemistry and physics of anesthesia.

The charts and graphs in this section are helpful in explaining some of the difficult anesthesia concepts such as biosphere or protein receptor sites.

Unit 3, Anesthesia Equipment, is a very technical section detailing

■anesthesia machines,

■cardiovascular monitoring,

■respiratory and metabolic monitoring, and

■neurologic monitoring.

The objective of the unit is to give nurse anesthetists information to gain skills and understand safety issues when using the equipment. It is less relevant to perioperative nurses. Later sections on monitoring are well illustrated and very informative. They provide a good reference for perioperative nurses.

Unit 4, Preoperative Patient Education and Preparation, is extremely relevant and well presented for the perioperative nurse. Preoperative evaluation is compulsory to identify factors that increase risks for any patient scheduled for surgery with anesthesia. Preoperative evaluation is a critical part of the anesthesia provider's job and the perioperative nurse's job. The section covers the pertinent guidelines for patient assessment.

Unit 5, Intraoperative Management, is the largest section of the book. These chapters discuss the care of the patient in surgery. The unit is organized to provide an easy-to-understand reference text. Dozens of subjects are covered in this section, including

■fluid, electrolytes, and blood component therapy;

■positioning for anesthesia and surgery;

■airway management;

■cardiovascular anesthesia management;

■anesthesia for laparoscopic surgery;

■obesity and anesthesia practice;

■postanesthesia recovery;

■pain management; and

■anesthesia complications.

Overall, this is an excellent reference book and study guide for anesthesia care providers and perioperative nurses. It is important for nurses to understand the anesthesia component of the surgical experience. A revised companion handbook is available for easily accessible reference in the clinical setting.

 

PII: S0001-2092(09)00879-5

doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2009.11.052

AORN Journal
Volume 91, Issue 2 , Pages 308-309, February 2010

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