Book excerpt: Effective, holistic nursing is impossible without a firm grasp of how the human body functions, but knowledge of the scientific theory on its own is not enough. Written with the needs of nurses firmly in mind and using the person-centred practice framework as a guiding principle, this book brings anatomy and physiology to life, combining the best of print and online learning into one integrated package. Key features: Connects theory with nursing practice by exploring the science from the perspective of a fictional family Uses a rich array of full-colour figures, diagrams, and video material including interactive figures, animations and mini-tutorials – perfect for visual learners Full of engaging activities designed to complement self-directed learning. Supported by a collection of digital resources, including 170 online multiple choice questions, over 800 revision flashcards, and complete access to videos, animations, revision material and action plans. Ideal for revision and consolidating knowledge. Visit https://edge.sagepub.com/essentialaandp to find out more. Get 12 months FREE access to an interactive eBook* when you buy the paperback! (Print paperback version only, ISBN 9781473938465) Each purchase includes 12 months access to an interactive eBook version, meaning you can study when and how you want and make use of additional tools including search, highlighting, annotation note sharing and much more. *interactivity only available through Vitalsource eBook