An introduction to critical care, this book is focused on elements that are essential for the novice critical care nurse to understand. Safe practice is a recurrent theme and essential safety initiatives are in highlighted boxes with specific issues related to the content in each chapter. Included are the purpose, the rationale, and highlighted recommendations, with a Media Link for more information. NANDA Nursing Diagnoses are also suggested for the disorders and diseases presented to help the reader categorize the nursing problems that may accompany the medical diagnoses.An essential reference for the Critical Care Nurse

Kathleen Ouimet Perrin Ph.D., RN, CCRN
Kathleen Perrin is a professor of nursing at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she teaches critical care nursing, professional nursing, ethics, and understanding suffering.  She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, her master’s degree from Boston College, and her Ph.D. from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She has been a practicing critical care nurse for over 30 years and a member of the American Association of Critical Care (AACN) Nurses for nearly as long.  Kathleen has served on the board of the Southern New Hampshire AACN and is a past president of the chapter.  She is currently President of the Epsilon Tau chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International.  She has published and presented in the areas of critical care nursing, nursing ethics, nursing history, suffering experienced by patients as well as health care providers, and conflict among members of the health care team.