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Nursing Drug Reference

Turkoski BB, Lance BR, Bonfiglio ME, eds. Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc; 2001-2002. Softcover. 1640 pages, $39.95.

The Drug Information Handbook for Advanced Practice Nursing is a user-friendly, A-to-Z reference, which provides easy location of drug information whether by brand or generic name. The content has been prepared and reviewed by a multidisciplinary group of practicing medical professionals and presents up to date and useful information.

Drug monographs contain all the usual information found in any drug reference. However, this handbook also includes additional material that is often hard to find, especially when needed quickly. The Indication section in each monograph includes uses that are both approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are off label. All US brand names for each drug are listed, as well as whether a generic formulation is available. Information on drug-drug, nutritional, ethanol, and herb-nutraceutical interactions is provided. Laboratory tests to monitor for safety and efficacy are recommended along with laboratory value interferences that might occur while taking the drug. A Monitoring and Teaching section lists specific physical assessment issues for the practitioner and has ample suggestions for patient education.

An excellent resource in the Introduction lists common drug side effects such as alopecia, anemia, anorexia, diarrhea, fluid retention, headache, leukopenia, nausea and vomiting, postural hypotension, stomatitis, thrombocytopenia, and vertigo. After each drug-related problem, bulleted recommendations for management and patient education are provided.

The appendix contains even more valuable resources covering a diversity of subjects that would be helpful to general as well as specialty advanced practice nurses, including topics such as antidotes, antivenins, and antitoxins; herbal and nutritional products; ophthalmic and otic agents; selected over-the-counter products; and comparative drug charts. A section with treatment and prophylaxis guidelines is also provided; this section lists current recommendations for 21 common medical conditions.

The Drug Information Handbook differs from other drug references by the wealth of comprehensive and practical information contained in this one reference. It is a valuable resource for both the student and the practicing advanced practice nurse, regardless of specialty. Although too heavy for most laboratory coat pockets, it should be kept close at hand for ready reference.

Debby Greenlaw is an acute care practitioner at South Carolina Heart Center, Columbia, SC.

COPYRIGHT 2002 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group