MAY 1989, VOL. 49, NO 5 AORN JOURNAL

are the first validated, reliable tools for examining specific areas. They provide a beginning for others who wish to further investigate the topics presented or other areas to which the tools can be applied. As such, they have contributed greatly to the advancement of a sound research-based knowl- edge and theory base for nurses.

The book is available from Springer Publishing Co, 536 Broadway, New York, NY 10012.

PAULA A. LATZ, RN, MSN, CNOR NURSING INSTRUCTOR/OR

MINNEAPOLIS VA MEDICAL CENTER

CRITICAL CARE

Critically IIl Adults Nursing Care Planning Guide Edited by Randy M. Caine, Patricia M. Bufalino 1988, 285 pp $25.95 paperback

This is an excellent reference book for student nurses who are just learning to write care plans. The experienced nurse and even the physician could benefit from using it to anticipate the care that critically ill adults may require. It would be useful for any nursing library and a must for the specialty care area. The book could be used as a reference by medical-surgical nurses who often treat critically ill patients when intensive care units overflow.

This book consolidates the nursing process. Most medical diagnoses and several selected psychological problems are described. The nursing assessment is broken into history factors, physical findings, psychosocial concerns or developmental factors, and patient and family knowledge. The nursing care is divided into topics such as goals based on a nursing diagnosis, implementation, evaluation criteria, and desired outcome. The suggestions in each of these topics are thorough and general enough to be applicable to any patient, yet specific enough to assist the nurse in developing a concrete plan for each patient. The authors include rationale for their suggestions and give the physiology for each diagnosis.

This book is well written in language that nurses understand, and the authors discuss each diagnosis

in a way that makes each illnesses recognizable. They also use charts with problems such as the electrolyte imbalances of renal disease. As a current reference, this book explains the background of newer problems such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The authors seem competent in their efforts to edit a book on critically ill adults. This book serves as a supplement for any experienced nurse who does nursing care plans. It is very comprehensive; nursing students would make a wise investment in its purchase.

The book is available from Williams & Wilkins, 428 E Preston St, Baltimore MD 21202.

DIANNA D. PACK, RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNA

UNITED COMMUNITY HOSPITAL REGISTERED NURSE ANESTHETIST

GROVE CITY, PA

Type of Floor Linked to Effects of Standing The type of floor one stands on can determine muscle and skeletal stress, according to a letter in the March 3, 1989, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers at the Center of Ergonomics, University of Michi- gan, Ann Arbor, have tested different floor types on 14 employees at the Ford Motor Co who stand during their entire work shift. The floor types ranged from concrete to matting of varying thicknesses.

Ratings of perceived hardness and discomfort in the feet, ankles, legs, and back were highest for the concrete and lowest for the soft, thicker mats; however, general fatigue ratings were higher with flooring that was too soft. In addition, leg fatigue also correlated with general fatigue regardless of floor types.

Other factors to be considered are the type of shoes worn, the tasks being performed, length of time standing, and individual worker characteris- tics such as general health, conditioning, and overall job satisfaction.

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