Part of the popular LPN Threads series, this bestselling text discusses the care of adults and older adults while covering the full range of disorders that require medical, surgical, or psychiatric management. Written specifically for the LPN/LVN student, this text thoroughly explores the role of the LPN/LVN in a variety of care settings, and the new Companion CD takes learning to the next level with an extensive pharmacology tutorial, realistic 3-D A&P animations, and a Dorland's audio glossary.

Presents foundational principles in the first five units, including basic concepts on patient and nursing care, health and illness, growth and development, acute care, emergencies, the older adult, the patient with cancer, and end-of-life care. The nursing process provides a consistent organizational framework throughout all disorders chapters and is reinforced in sample nursing care plans. Diagnostic Tests and Procedures tables in systems chapters include description, purpose, patient preparation information, and post-procedure nursing care. Critical Thinking Questions at the end of each nursing care plan help students evaluate and apply the plan of care. Put On Your Thinking Cap! boxes stimulate further discussion. Consider the Alternative boxes on complementary and alternative therapies summarize what nurses need to know about CAM as it relates specifically to medical-surgical disorders. Cultural content is introduced in the Cultural Aspects of Nursing Care chapter and presented as a boxed feature, What Does Culture Have to Do With...? which presents disorder-specific cultural considerations.

Bound-in companion CD includes an extensive pharmacology tutorial, over 250 3-D animations, and a Dorland's audio glossary Health Promotion Considerations boxes focus on wellness and disease prevention. Management and Supervision Considerations boxes discuss the LPN/LVN role in assigning tasks and care. Legal and Ethical Considerations and HIV/AIDS chapters address basic legal and ethical information essential to nurses at all care levels and the latest HIV research and treatment. New appendices address Spanish-English health care phrases; laboratory values; and JCAHO Lists of dangerous abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols. New, timely content on bioterrorism and the role of the nurse provides a basic overview of how nursing care needs to adapt to patient needs during disasters and terrorist attacks. New HIPAA content addresses legal rights and the issue of patient privacy in health care settings.