  With over 1,000 of the latest and most common FDA-approved drugs, the 2006 PDR« Nurse?s Drug Handbook? is a clinical necessity. Each drug monograph contains thorough facts concerning its action/kinetics, dosage, interactions, and contraindications, as well as clear guidelines for administration and communication geared specifically to the nurse. By stressing prevention of medication errors, bioterrorism preparedness and clinical responsibility, this resource is the gold standard for modern practice. This volume is smaller than its ponderous cousin, the Physicians' Desk Reference , yet contains more than 1000 entries for the newest and most commonly administered drugs. Since nurses often discuss medications with patients, the book focuses on explaining in relatively plain language the effects of each drug, its pronunciation (an advisory appears for every drug whose name may sound similar to that of a different drug), its actions and uses, and any potential side effects or special concerns ("Black Box" icons alert readers to especially dangerous drugs). Some entries feature "Nursing Considerations" sections that detail what nurses should be monitoring and what patients should be told about the medication. Chapter 2 classifies the drugs discussed in Chapter 1 (e.g., "Antidepressants," "Herbs," "Sulfonamides") and provides information on the given class of drugs as a whole. Numerous appendixes deal with such matters as the importance of reporting medication errors, cultural aspects of medicine therapy, and drug/food interactions. Bottom Line There are several drug guides for nurses on the market, including Davis' Drug Guide for Nurses , which does not have entries for specific drugs but rather special dosage considerations for certain types of patients (i.e., diabetics or seniors) and information on various drug classes; Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide , which is not as comprehensive as PDR Nurse's ; and Prentice Hall's Nurse Drug Guide , which is similar to PDR Nurse's but also includes information on prototype drugs. PDR Nurse's is a concise and simply written work recommended for health centers or nursing school libraries. PDR also publishes the more consumer-oriented Family Guide to Prescription Drugs , which may be more appropriate for general reference collections. [Free drug updates can be found on www.nursespdr.com .--Ed.]--Elaine Lasda Bergman, Healthcare Assocs. of New York State, Rensselaer [Page 114]. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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