Understanding Laboratory Investigations: A Text for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. Dieser Artikel ist nicht verfügbar.Understanding Laboratory Investigations: A Text for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

As nurses take on increased clinical responsibility, their role requires greater involvement with laboratory investigations. Taking samples, recording tests, liaising with medical staff on test results and helping to identify abnormal results are key skills which nurses must learn and develop. As well as being required to answer diverse patient questions concerning tests and results, some nurses are also directly involved in testing blood, for example in intensive care and diabetic nursing care. This comprehensive book covers the common investigations carried out in relation to patients' samples. Sections cover clinical chemistry, haematology, microbiology, blood transfusion and histopathology. The text explains the normal physiological function of the substance being measured, as well as the clinical significance of abnormal results in relation to the disease being diagnosed. The book also relates symptoms to abnormal results. Each chapter includes protocols for sample collection and transport, and indicates when test results require immediate clinical intervention. Case studies are included throughout the book with questions to help students assess their understanding of the topic.

Understanding Laboratory Investigations provides nurses with essential and easily digested information about the most frequently requested tests that are performed on patient samples in hospital laboratories. The book reflects the work of all five disciplines of pathology: clinical chemistry, haematology, clinical microbiology, blood transfusion and cytopathology. The text explains the physiological function of the substance being measured, details of reference ranges and the clinical significance of test results for diagnosis or patient monitoring. Those test results which warrant immediate clinical intervention are identified. Wherever possible, abnormal test results are related to symptoms. Sample collection and transport are dealt with under each test heading. Each chapter ends with discussion of a case study and questions to help students assess their understanding of the topic.

Key features:

· Takes an in-depth approach to understanding investigations.
· Emphasises those aspects of laboratory testing most relevant to nurses.
· Includes practical information relating to sample collection and handling.
· Includes many illustrations to aid understanding.
· Includes case studies and self-assessment questions.

The primary audience for the book is degree and diploma nurses on clinical placements, qualified hospital nurses, intensive care nurses, clinical nurse specialists and nurses undertaking specialist post-basic courses (intensive care, diabetes etc). In addition, the book may be of interest to other health care professionals including hospital pharmacy workers, physiotherapists, radiographers, phlebotomists, and biomedical students wishing to pursue a career in laboratory medicine.