The central title of the new Oxford Handbooks in Nursing series, this unique book is written specifically from a nurse's perspective. The Oxford Handbook of General and Adult Nursing gives concise, practical and expert advice on all aspects of the nurse's role. Written for both practising and student nurses, it is a comprehensive and reliable guide to the care of adults with chronic and acute illness. Giving a complete picture of a patient's progress, the handbook covers care from the initial assessment to discharge and continuing care. It also gives up-to-date advice on the role of the nurse working in a multidisciplinary team and as manager, team leader and co-ordinator of care. Helping you achieve the best possible results for your patients, the authors offer a wealth of recommendations, guidance and information from their years of experience. Whatever situation you are in, the Oxford Handbook of General and Adult Nursing will give you the information you need. Starting with the fundamentals of good patient care, it covers the vast majority of clinical scenarios you will encounter. The handbook also offers advice on performing relevant tests and procedures, investigations with normal ranges, common drugs, emergency situations, rare cases and how to manage unexpected events. So you can find the information you need without delay, the book is clearly laid out with one topic per page, and written in an easily readable note-based style. Blank pages for writing notes, observations and local protocols allow your handbook to be customised to meet your specific needs. All this is available at your fingertipcs, in a pocket-sized handbook with hard-wearing plastic covers. Written by practising nurses and checked by subject experts, the Oxford Handbook of General and Adult Nursing will be an invaluable companion to both practising and student nurses. Whether you need a comprehensive introduction to general/adult nursing, or a reliable resource to dip into when the need arises, the Oxford Handbook of General and Adult Nursing will be an invaluable companion for years to come.

Ann Close started her nursing career in Lancashire where she was born and raised. Through her work as a nurse teacher and experiences as a patient she developed an interest in health promotion and patient education and subsequently presented and published widely on the subject.This was followed by almost 5 years working at the West Midlands Regional HA where she was responsible for the amalgamation of schools of nursing into colleges and for supporting the development of Project 2000 across the region. During this period Ann obtained degree qualifications from University of Wales. Subsequently Ann had a change in career direction to return to provider services, firstly as Nursing Director at a learning disability Trust, and then for the last 12 years at The Dudley Group of Hospitals. She maintains a national profile as vice chair of the Nurse Directors Association and is a previous member of the Standing Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committee. George Castledine was appointed Professor of Nursing and Community Health at The University of Central England, where he held the post of Assistant Dean and helped in the transfer of the local schools of nursing into the university. He now holds a joint Clinical Professorship and Consultant of Nursing between the University and The Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust. He was made a fellow of the Royal College of Nursing in 1980 for his outstanding contribution to clinical nursing. He has been a visiting professor at many universities around the world and has worked in the Middle East and Africa for various aid agencies. His research is based in clinical practice and he is an expert in specialisation in nursing and care of the older person. He is seen as one of the early pioneers in the development of higher education for nurses, combining practice with theory and maintaining clinical links. Professor Castledine is also Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Nursing.

Section 1: Principles and practice of nursing

Defining nursing

Nursing care delivery models

Individualising nursing care practice

Medicines management

Health promotion

Section 2: Diagnosing nursing problems and implementing nursing care

Nursing the patient with respiratory needs

Nursing the patient with cardiovascular problems

Nursing the patient with nutritional and gastrointestinal needs

Patients with liver and gall bladder problems

Nursing patients with endocrine problems

Nursing the patient with renal and urinary problems

Nursing patients with dermatology and skin needs

Nursing the patient with neurological problems

Nursing patients with sensory system problems

Nursing the patient with mobility and musculo-skeletal problems

Nursing patients with haematology problems

Nursing patients with connective tissue disorders

Nursing the patients with Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV)

Nursing the patient with reproductive and gynaecological needs

Nursing the patient with infectious disease

Section 3: Nursing specific groups of people

Nursing the patient with intimate care needs

Nursing the patient requiring peri-operative care

Nursing the patient with pain

Nursing the patient with body image problems

Nursing the patient with cancer

Nursing the patient with palliative care needs

Nursing the dying patient

Nursing the older person

Nursing the child and adolescent

Nursing the person with learning disability

Nursing the person with mental health needs

Nursing in the community

Section 4: Emergencies

Nursing care of patient emergencies

Emergencies in the clinical environment

Section 5: Professional nursing practice

Ethical issues

Legal issues

Managing in the clinical environment

Nurses role in coordinating care

Common laboratory tests and their interpretation

Section 6: Appendices