Mike Cadogan, MA(Oxon), MBChB, FACEM,
Consultant Emergency Physician, Sir Charles Gairdner Emergency Department, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine, University of Western Australia, Australia.
Anthony F T Brown, MBChB, FRCP, FRCS, FACEM, FFAEM,
Senior Staff Specialist, Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Tony Celenza
Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine
Australian Version
Saunders Australia 2011
ISBN: 9780729539616
Type and scope of book
This is the 2nd Edition Australian series of the internationally successful On-Call series. It an updated version with latest drug guides. The book is seen close to many new medical officers. The book is written in a style to challenge the new medical officer to cope with the many emergency and common calls that they will receive.
Contents
Section A Chapters 1-6 Section A discusses general principles of management and diagnosis. It concentrates on profession legal and ethical problems. The section examines the medical role in care of the dying patient. The communication situations and issues are identified. Communication techniques in self and situational management are introduced.
Section B Chapter 7-14 This section focuses on emergency call that maybe received. Emergency protocols of the DRABC approach is highlighted. The cardiac arrest current algorithm is explained well. The section then goes into depth to educate the reader further into respiratory, circulatory and neurological problems. Sign and symptoms are linked with the patient’s physiological changes in condition. Disaster codes are discussed briefly.
Section C Chapter 15-34. This Section concentrates on the specific common calls that will be received. The list of these call are Shortness of breath, cough, Chest pain, Rhythm disorders, Hypertension, Hypotension, Altered mental status, Collapse, headache, Seizures, Weakness, Abdominal pain, Alter bowel habits, Gastrointestinal bleeding, Haematuria, Urine output increased or decreased, Leg pain, Fever, Rashes, Transfusion reactions. This section has good reference to the emergency nurse as these are common complaints at triage.
Section D Chapter 35-46. Investigations that are commonly ordered to diagnose patients are examined in this section. This section contains many of the common investigation that are carried out most in an emergency department. This section is well explained and very useful to the reader. The investigations include ECG, Chest X-ray, Abdominal X-ray, CT head scan, Urinalysis, Arterial blood gases, Blood glucose level, blood salts, Hb, and coagulation studies.
Section E Chapter 47-66. Section E covers the many common procedures that the new medical officer is likely to be asked to perform. This section contain useful diagrams to explain the procedures. The authors give a step by step approach. Potential procedural problems are highlighted and contraindications to the procedure are given. Procedures that are Venipuncture, Blood cultures, Cannulation, Arterial blood gas puncture, Injections, Infiltration of local Anaesthetic, Nasal gastrointestinal tubes, IDC, Paracentesis, Pleural tap, Chest drain insertion, Lumber Puncture, Joint Aspiration, Cardiac monitoring, ECG, Defibrillation, Electrocardioversion, Cardiac pacing, and Central line insertion.
Section F Chapter 67. Contains a basis formulary of common medication and pharmacological groups.
Strengths
The strength of this book is that it can be used as a reference guide to management of common problems that present to hospitals. The book is well written and explanations are easily understood by the reader. Because it uses Australian standards and language this makes it very acceptable as a department reference guide.
The highlight of the book is Section C and D. This makes the book really useful and practical. These sections are of most use to the Emergency Nurse. These are the common problems that present and common diagnostic tools used to formulate treatment plans. It is these sections that are referenced the most by the reader.
This book in its 2nd Edition is widely purchased by many new medical officers. This is witnessed by seeing the book with new medical officers in the department.
Deficiencies
The strength of Section C and D is the centre of the book. Parts of sections A and B could have been combined. Parts of section A and B could have been placed at further back towards the back of the book. This may have given the book better balance.
Recommended readership
The book is marketed as a study guide and so is suited for this purpose. A small scope of readers would find this an invaluable resource and it may be of use out of interest for those not targeted.
Overall Rating
This is a well written book. It has plenty of application for an emergency nurse. The book can be used as a quick reference guide or a complete read. Upon the completion of the book the reader will be able to deal with many presenting problems. To chose and perform appropriate diagnostic studies.
This knowledge and skills can then be the basis for further specialist education, training and knowledge.