Customer Reviews

Nurse Anesthesia, 3e

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm almost done with my first year of anesthesia school...and this is our main textbook for our anesthesia principles classes. On our tests...if we have a problem with an exam question; the saying is, "Nagelhout trumps all", meaning, if it's in Nagelhout, it's gospel. Our instructors state that this book is used largely for the boards. WHICH SCARES ME! Let me tell you why.

First of all...some of the chapters are very hard to read and poorly edited. There are misspellings and downright misinformation on dosages and FACTS. One chapter gives information that directly contradicts information in another chapter...information that is fairly basic. Let me give you examples.

Pg 164, Table 11-1. We used this table to learn dosages of neuromuscular blocking agents. Intubating dose for mivacurium is WRONG. It says 0.75 mg/kg in the table, but actually it is 0.15-0.2 mg/kg. And you will see this on pg 170, where it is written "The intubating dose of mivacurium is 0.2 mg/kg." Yes, I know Mivacurium is discontinued...but that's NOT the point.

The worst chapter so far is Ch 45--Pediatric Anesthesia. Before pediatrics, we were taught about heat loss via radiation, convection, conduction, etc. The definition of RADIANT heat loss (pg 1150) is: "...the loss of heat from a warm or hot surface (the body) to a cooler one (the environment); it does not require the two surfaces to be in direct contact with each other." Now read pg 1102, "Radiant heat loss is the transfer of heat from one object to another..." with the example of placing an infant on a cold OR table. This latter statement is actually describing CONDUCTIVE heat loss.

Same chapter, it states on pg 1102 that albumin reaches "...adult levels at the time of birth." Then, on the NEXT PAGE (1103), states, "Both albumin and AAG concentrations are diminished at birth but reach the adult equivalency by infancy." So which is it?????

SUCH are the frustrations my class has with this book. Many other programs use Barash...and I am quite jealous of them. I want to buy Barash....when I get some extra loan money. Maybe John Nagelhout will lend it to me, with all the money he's saving on not editing his book properly.

This book was not optional for me, but the information is good. I wish it could have been compressed some. Goes into pathophysiology, I already have a book for that. Easier to read than some other anesthesia books

This book is a great book for those beginning their studies in anesthesia. This book provides accurate straightforward information that is not quite written at the "over your head" level as some of the "bibles" in anesthesia are. I personally like this book and use it is one of my top resources. For more elaborate explanations I usually go to Miller. But for quick answers that provide a good deal of detail I like this book.

Nurse Anesthesia is a wonderful book. I think every nurse anesthesia student should review it. Concepts are clearly explained.