· This complete lab book contains the latest information on testing organized alphabetically for quick reference.
· It has student-friendly features that provide great information for practicing nurses.
· "Significance of Test Results" sections list the diseases and disorders that are associated with abnormal findings, and Test Result Indications sections list the possible clinical significance of abnormal findings.
· Tests are presented in a format that emphasizes the nurse's role, and includes Basics the Nurse Needs to Know and Nursing Care.
· The clinical purpose of each test is identified, and how each test is performed is clearly explained.
· A pronunciation guide for the name of each test helps with difficult terminology
- A focus on nursing explains how lab tests are used in nursing care.
- Alphabetical organization makes every test easy to find.
- Pronunciation guides for test names help students with difficult terminology.
- "Purpose of the Test" sections identify the indications of each test.
- "Basics the Nurse Needs to Know" offers an explanation of each test in clear, simple language.
- Normal Values in standard and SI units include variations for gender and age, where relevant.
- Critical Values are highlighted with the Normal Values, where relevant.
- "How the Test is Done" sections succinctly describe how each test is performed.
- "Significance of Test Results" sections list the diseases and disorders that are associated with abnormal findings.
- "Interfering Factors" sections list of the factors-such as drugs, herbs, and improper specimen collection and handling-that inadvertently affect test results.
- "Nursing Care" sections explain what the nurse is to do pretest, during the test, and posttest, and highlights nursing responses to critical values and complications, patient teaching, and health promotion.
- "Health Promotion" information is highlighted where relevant, noting the use of a test for screening asymptomatic individuals, with a testing schedule or other indication for when the test should be performed.
- Patient Teaching information is highlighted to make this crucial nursing content easy to find.
- Nursing Responses to Critical Values and Complications note what the nurse should be alert for during and after the test and how to manage dangerous situations.
- Appendix D: Common Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests for Frequently Occurring Medical Diagnoses lists the tests used most often for various disorders, and is a handy guide for students using lab tests in clinicals, as well as for practicing nurses.
- Appendix E: Tests by Body System with Test Purpose lists all tests with page number of the main entry, along with the purpose of each test for quick reference.
- The new JCAHO guidelines for abbreviations are followed to reduce errors in laboratory readings.