BOOK REVIEWS

CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES OF INTEN- SIVE CARE FOR NURSE SPECIALISTS, by Lawrence Meltzer, Faye Abdellah and I . Roderick Kitchell, The Charles Press Publish- ers, Inc., Philadelphia, 1969, $950, 469 pages. This well organized book will be of particular value to nurses who care for the critically ill. Beginning with an introduction which ex- plains the team concept in the intensive care unit and elaborates on the role of each of the various members of the team, the book proceeds to explore the many problems encountered in the intensive care room. Chapters are devoted to respiratory insuffi- ciency, acute myocardial infarction, hepatic failure, shock, water and electrolyte imbal- ances, burns, renal failure, and the complica- tions of general surgery. Complications, diagnostic procedures, methods of treatment, and nursing techniques are all thoroughly discussed. Each chapter is followed by a bibliography of related works.

The book also contains many valuable tables and illustrations. An appendix suggest- ing equipment, supplies, and drugs for the intensive care unit is included at the end of the book.

SISTER DELORES KANE, R.N. Chicago, Illinois

HOW TO CONDUCT A SELECTION IN- TERVIEW, by John W . Blyth, Ph.D., and Millicent Atlee, Argyle Publishing Corpora- tion, New York, 1968, $9.75. This book is an easy to follow, self-instruc- tional course on how to conduct a selection interview. Before beginning the program, one should answer the questions in the supplement entitled, “What’s Your I.Q.?” The examina- tion should be repeated when the course has been completed and the results of the two tests compared.

Dr. Blyth and Miss Atlee emphasize several steps which they believe to be essential to an effective selection interview. They recommend that the interviewer thoroughly study the completed application form before he meets the prospective employee. They suggest that the interviewer ask indirect questions in order to draw out the applicant and receive the widest range of information. The interviewer’s responsibility to make the applicant fully aware of the demands, salary and benefits of the job are also emphasized.

Several completed application forms and sample interviewer rating sheets are included in a supplement at the end of the book. The reader may try his skill at these exercises and then compare his evaluations with those

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offered by the authors. This book will be of value to all who read

it. It will provide the novice with an introduction and guide to the art of interview- ing, and it will help the experienced interview- er to evaluate his technique.

WYN M. HUTTON, R.N. Seattle, Washington

HOSPITALS OF THE LONG-STAY PA- TIENT, by Doreen Norton, S.R.N., Pergamon Press, Ltd., Oxford, England, $6.00, 130 pages. In less than one hundred pages, this book is an all-emcompassing research survey project of 252 Long-Stay and Terminal Care hospitals in the British Isles, and their nursing problems. A total of 19,000 patients are embraced in this project. Divided into eight parts, the survey begins with an explanation of methods, definitions, and content of sampling. Staffing needs are considered in relation to the hospital building, its location, structure, type, design, and sanitary provi- sions. The study concludes that modern society cannot support both acute and chronic hospitals. It recommends a revision of the present policy of caring for the long term or chronically ill outside the confines of the general hospital.

PRACTICAL ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY, 4th Edition, by Henry I . L. Marrwtt, M.D., The Williams & Wilkins Company, Baltimore, Maryland, $7.75, 275 pages. Although many books on electrocardiography are available today, few encompass the whole scope of this subject. Marriott’s Fourth Edition has overcome this problem by elimi- nating the more intricate details of electrophys- ics. The content of the book is excellent. Its discussion of fusion beats, left ventricular hypertrophy, aberrant ventricular conduction, coronary insu5ciency, and congenital heart disease is more thorough than that of the

third edition. New chapters devoted to atrial enlargement, artificial pacemakers, pericardial effusion, hypothermia, cardiomyopathy, and intercranial hemorrhage are included. An extensive reference list follows each chapter. Generally speaking, this book has much to offer the O.R., J.C.U., and C.C.U. nurse who seeks to understand the basics of electrocar- diography.

BARBA J. EDWARDS, R.N. Omaha, Nebraska

NURSING CAREERS IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE, by the United States Civil Service Commission, Bureau of Recruiting and Exam- ining, July, 1969. The United States Civil Service Commission has published a pamphlet covering profes- sional nurse openings at grades GS-4 through GS-15 in the Federal Government, including the Veteran’s Administration, the uniformed military services the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, and volunteer agencies such as VISTA and the Peace Corps. The positions listed are located in federal installations across the nation and around the world. Approximately eighty per cent of Federal nurses are employed in hospitals. The rest work in health units, clinics, research centers and other establishments.

The pamphlet emphasizes that simplified plans are now in effect for the immediate hiring of nurses. The current salary rates for all categories of nurses are listed. The beginning salary for the first full performance level ranges from $639 a month to $722 a month, depending on location.

Interested applicants may obtain a copy of the pamphlet (#419) from any Interagency Board of U. S. Civil Service Examiners, or from most large post offices. They may also write to the Interagency Board of Civil Service Examiners, 1900 E. Street, NW, Washington, D. C., 20415. ++

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