Pharmacology for Nursing Care

Rating:
Summary: LOVED THE TEXT... but the Study Guide wasn't what I expected
Review: ---------
THE GOOD:
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This textbook is an excellent read and everyone in my class agrees! The author (Lehne) does a great job of explaining and highlighting the most important concepts for each chapter/drug class, as well as relating them to the underlying pathophysiology and disease process. More importantly, Lehne accomplishes this without overwhelming the reader with loads of extra information not pertinent to gaining a good, basic, understanding of Pharmacology. So, it is a great book to start with to learn the foundations of Pharmacology in nursing. The end-of-chapter "Key Points" and "Nursing Implications" are also extremely helpful. The summaries in some texts are not very good at capturing the main concepts -- which I can understand since that can be a hard thing to accomplish depending on the subject area being studied -- but, Lehne definitely does it well in this text.

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THE BAD:
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The study guide was a disappointment. I think it's important to know beforehand that the study guide does not have any multiple-choice questions in it -- it has only "Critical Thinking and Study Questions" and "Case Studies". You have to write out all the answers to the questions. The answers to the questions are also not in the book itself, but they are available on the book's companion website. This might just be a personal study preference, but I prefer to do multiple choice questions because they prepare me more for the exams in my nursing program. Also, I am in an accelerated BSN program (11-months) and my time is very limited -- so, having to write out the answers to questions in the study guide and then go to the website for the answers just takes up too much time. Nonetheless, I do think the study guide is well-written and could definitely be more helpful to others that do have more time to spend on it -- but it just wasn't for me. I personally feel that study guides that have muliple-choice questions will better prepare me better for exams like the HESI & NCLEX. Another important note -- neither of the books come with a CD. Some classmates were surprised by this since most of the books required for our program have CDs with study questions (multiple-choice) that are usually very helpful. I know that no CD was advertised with the books, but some people might overlook this detail. It's nice to know things like this sometimes before purchasing.

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THE BOTTOM LINE:
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Although the study guide just wasn't for me, it may be ideal for others -- depending on your own personal study habits.

I would definitely recommend the textbook to anyone without hesitation. Students! Instructors! This is THE textbook to get for Pharmacology. I've been getting A's thanks to this textbook -- and of course some hard work on my part!

"You get out of it what you put into it" -- words to live by!

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RATINGS:
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Textbook -> 5 Stars
Study Guide -> 3 Stars

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

Rating:
Summary: Pharmacology for Nursing Care
Review: Excellent reference book for drugs and their effects on the body. Good, basic pathophysiology of the systems, their disorders, and the drugs used to treat them. Best book of this type I have found in 25 years as a nurse.

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy it
Review: I did not like this book because the answers are not available and my teacher is lazy and probably wouldn't give us the answers if we asked. I think it was a waste of money and good trees. I think this belongs in the trash along with all the other study guide books I have bought. On a side note, the main textbook is too big and heavy and I hate carrying it around. I think the type should be bigger or get rid of some of the content because when you are reading late at night it all runs together. I think that's enough ranting and raving so I will leave it at this my book is going to be out the window July 29 the day of my final. Good riddance!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: extremely well written, helpful textbook
Review: I have to say that this is one of the best text books I've ever had to buy! It's well written, well organized, and thoughtfully prepared. The author presents what might otherwise be very confusing and complicated ideas, and makes them straightforward and easy to understand. Best of all, I actually ENJOY reading this text. Yes, that's right, I enjoy reading about pharmacology! By making the concepts understandable, he makes the whole topic of drugs and their affects on the body interesting. What could be better than that?

Rating:
Summary: Best Pharm book I ever saw!!
Review: I love this book. Very clearly written with basic explanation of disease processes too. It clearly explains why certain medications work as they do. It is easy to follow (you just have to read it and take your time). It will enhance your basic understanding. Even PA-students like the clarity of the writing.

Rating:
Summary: Very Clear and comprehencive
Review: One of the best Pharmacology book, it does not get into the chemistry of the drugs etc but a very extensive source to read for first time pharmacology exposure. A lot of things that is normally covered in Physiology books are recalled here. Author also provides extensive links between different applications and explanations. Certainly book is written mainly for Nurses but from simple reading and explanations point of view it is very useful for everybody as a reference book.
I enjoyed reading every line of it. authors do not spare on any information to make it clear.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have
Review: The new 4th edition of this book just keeps getting better and has a great chapter on alternative drugs added for this edition. The authors strive to make the information understandable and meaningful. This book is actually good reading for student nurses through advance practice nurses. The new study guide is also an improvement along with the web enhanced materials. The science is first rate and the material makes sense. Priorities are defined for drugs using the prototype format which enhances learning of the really important material.

Rating:
Summary: When you know the diagnosis, but not the proper Rx
Review: This is an excellent text when you may be unfamiliar with which meds should be prescribed for certain medical diagnoses or need to research which meds are available within a certain pharmaceutical class. For example, if you need to research available meds for central nervous system disorders, you would go to Section V. Then the section is further divided into Drugs for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurologic Drugs, Drugs for Pain, Psychotherapeutic Drugs, etc. etc.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent foundation text
Review: While the material is highly technical, it is presented in a clear, concise manner with excellent end of chapter summaries.
Substantial amounts of background information are presented to ensure a thorough understanding of the physiology of some body systems in order to permit a better understanding of how some medications work. Minimal molecular biology is included. Personally, I liked this text and will be keeping my copy for years to come.