Book excerpt: The new edition of this highly popular book is an indispensable guide to daily procedures and problems for nurses starting work on the ward or returning to practice. It provides guidance in a variety of areas including: how to organise your job and yourself; how to assess patients; clinical information on a wide range of conditions; important principles, procedures and investigations; how to administer drugs safely; and what to do in an emergency. As well as information on how to do the job, the importance of communication and nursing care issues is emphasised. Background information is also given on underlying legal, health and safety issues. This book will help you with Organising your job and yourself Assessing patients Getting clinical information on a wide range of conditions Important principles, procedures and investigations Administering drugs safely What to do in an emergency Communication, legal health and safety issues A new section on professional practice relates current issues to nursing practice Updated drug section provides essential understanding of common drug classes New resuscitation guidelines