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2009 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
2009;29:89 Crit Care Nurse

Strengths Finder 2.0

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by AACN. All rights reserved. 2009 ext. 532. Fax: (949) 362-2049. Copyright
101 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656. Telephone: (800) 899-1712, (949) 362-2050,
Association of Critical-Care Nurses, published bi-monthly by The InnoVision Group
Critical Care Nurse is the official peer-reviewed clinical journal of the American
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describe why a particular medication
falls under the pediatric high-alert
medication classifications, commonly
used medications, and error preven-
tion guidelines.
The target audience of Pediatric
High-Alert Medications include chief
nursing officers, directors of nursing,
nurse managers, staff educators, and
staff nurses, and each chapters con-
tent ranges from basic to advanced
knowledge depending on the experi-
ence level of the nurse. This range is
demonstrated in the first 2 chapters
in which content for seasoned pediatric
nurses may be review materials whereas
content for novice pediatric nurses
may be seen as advanced knowledge.
The books strengths include
importance of medication administra-
tion safety by clinicians, case studies
within each chapter, guidelines for
the clinician to educate the patient
and family, and a valuable reference
for the Joint Commissions National
Patient Safety Goals. Various format-
ting methods, such as different fonts,
bullets, and tables, offer a greater
ease for navigating through the book.
One of the drawbacks of the book is
the bibliography, which contains some
references greater than 5 years old.
Overall, the authors have compiled a
comprehensive and practical resource
for nurses who are interested in achiev-
ing optimal patient safety when
administering high-alert medications
to pediatric patients.
RoseMarie Faber is a clinical practice
specialist at the American Association of
Critical-Care Nurses in Aliso Viejo, California.
2009 American Association of Critical-
Care Nurses doi: 10.4037/ccn2009569
pediatric considerations, medications,
and nursing implications. Each chapter
is highlighted by case studies that
illustrate errors but, more impor-
tantly, facilitate the readers to criti-
cally think and adapt practice by
learning from others mistakes.
Drug-specific pediatric dosing is
not discussed in the book because the
authors chose to focus on patient
safety. An added bonus to the book
is a nursing education instructional
guide that provides the books objec-
tives and an assessment tool.
The book recognizes that pediatric
patients are not just small adults. Spe-
cial considerations must be reviewed
when delivering pharmaceutical care
to this health care population to ensure
patient safety. Key pediatric differences
such as size, pharmokinetics, and safety
principles are illustrated in the first 2
chapters. Improving pediatric high-alert
medication safety through technologi-
cal advances is clearly described within
a separate chapter. Pharmacy prepara-
tion, clinical practice using develop-
mentally and child-friendly methods
for medication administration, and
keep kids safe sections are presented
within the book. Keep kids safe
sections help the clinician to learn key
concepts about safety standards by
providing pertinent clinical informa-
tion connecting medication adminis-
tration and safety.
The remaining 7 chapters include
specific classifications such as anti-
coagulation therapies; chemotherapy
agents; electrolyte, cardiovascular,
insulin, and dextrose solutions; neuro-
muscular blocking agents; and pain and
sedation medications. Each classifica-
tion chapter contains rationales that
Pediatric High-Alert
Medications:
Evidenced-Based
Safe Practices for
Nursing
Professionals
Jill Duncan, Jason Corcoran. Marblehead,
MA: HCPro, Inc; 2007. Softcover, 168
pages. ISBN: 978-1-60146-027-1
Reviewed by RoseMarie Faber, RN,
MSN/ED, CCRN
I
n Pediatric High-Alert Medications,
Duncan and Corcoran provide
evidenced-based guidelines to assist
staff nurses in safely administering high-
risk medications to pediatric patients.
The book contains an introductory
chapter followed by 11 chapters that
address the unique needs of pediatric
patients, general medication safety prin-
ciples, and 7 specific high-alert medica-
tion classifications. Topics within the
medication classification chapters
focus on pharmacology concepts,
Book Reviews
88 CRITICALCARENURSE Vol 29, No. 1, FEBRUARY 2009 www.ccnonline.org
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www.ccnonline.org CRITICALCARENURSE Vol 29, No. 1, FEBRUARY 2009 89
The Fourth Factor:
A Historical
Perspective on
Architecture and
Medicine
John Michael Currie.
Washington, DC: The American Institute
of Architects; 2007. $39.99. ISBN: 978-1-
57165-018-4
There has been a relationship
between medicine and architecture
since ancient times. The care of the
ill has taken place in a variety of set-
tings, which have been recognized as
a factor in the healing process. The
goal of this book is to recognize that
relationship and the contribution of
architecture to medicine. The book
begins with diagrams and descrip-
tions as far back and Ancient Egypt
and Greece and moves forward to
current architecture of well known
facilities in America and Europe. This
book looks at the provision of health
care through the eyes of the archi-
tectnot a frequently considered
viewpoint. CCN
Find more Book Reviews on the
CCN Web site!
To access previous book reviews go to our
Web site, www.ccnonline.org.
Strengths
Finder 2.0
Tom Rath. New York,
NY: Gallup Press; 2007.
$19.95. ISBN: 978-1-
59562-015-6
In StrengthsFinder
2.0, Gallup provides a
new version of the strengths assess-
ment and a personalized strengths
discovery and action-planning guide
for applying your strengths in the
future. This book can be read in one
sitting but is also a useful reference
for the future. Loaded with strategies
for applying your strengths, the book
and additional Web site information
will change the way you see yourself
and the world around you.
Meditations on
Hope: Nurses
Stories About
Motivation and
Inspiration
Paula M. Sergi, Geraldine
Gorman, eds. New York,
NY: Kaplan Publishing;
2009. $14.95. ISBN: 978-1-4277-9824-4
This fascinating anthology repre-
sents a broad spectrum of nursing
voices and experiences as part of the
Kaplan Voices: Nurses series. Nurses
share how they stay positive and
focused, overcome adversities and
challenges, and develop relationships
both with patients and their col-
leagues. In this book, nurses take
you to chaotic medical-surgical units,
inside the homes of families, and
even on adrenalin-drenched helicop-
ter rides as they share their stories.
The resulting message brings hope,
understanding, and healing to nurses
and those with whom they interact
within their environment.
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