Book excerpt: Essentials of Perioperative introduces peri-operative nursing through the framework of the nursing process and nursing diagnoses, rather than the former task-oriented approach. This Second Edition is thoroughly updated and expanded to include new material on universal precautions, blood borne pathogens, waste management, cost containment, the scope of perioperative nursing, the roles of the surgical team, and the perioperative nurse role of circulator and scrub nurse. Learning objectives are stated at the beginning of each chapter.