This innovative text presents nursing fundamentals in a concise, visually attractive format that captures students' attention and addresses dramatic changes taking place in the health care environment. At the heart of this revision is the critical thinking model presented as a practical, clinical decision-making guide and applied to the nursing process throughout. Case studies in all clinical chapters bring this process to life, demonstrating to students how using the combination of critical thinking and the nursing process will help them deliver comprehensive, professional care. Case studies introduce the client, family and nurse, and follow them through synthesizing knowledge and assessment data, planning and evaluating care. It addresses community health care and health promotion by consistently organizing each implementation section into three main areas: health promotion, acute care, and restorative care. Other themes include delegation, multidisciplinary collaboration, focus on outcomes, cultural sensitivity, gerontologic principles,and client satisfaction. * Complete coverage of fundamentals in a concise, readable, visually appealing format. * Five-step nursing process provides a consistent framework in all clinical chapters.

* Hundreds of color photographs and drawings increase educational value while adding visual appeal. * Client teaching covered in both narrative and boxes to highlight this key nursing role. * Skills are presented in a clear, two-column format with rationales for all steps. NEW FEATURES: * Critical thinking model provides a practical, clinical decision-making guide applied to the nursing process. * Case studies in all clinical chapters include the client, family and nurse, and are developed throughout the chapter to demonstrate the ongoing nature of nursing care. * Implementation consistently addresses health promotion, acute care, and restorative care to reflect the current focus on community-based nursing and health promotion. * Skills include guidelines to assist nurses when delegating to unlicensed assistive personnel, Critical Decision Points, Recording and Reporting, and Home Care Considerations. * Expanded evaluation includes both the nurse's and client's perspectives to stress today's "customer satisfaction" emphasis.

* Care Plans based on the case studies highlight key assessment data and include client goals and expected outcomes. * Procedural Guidelines provide step-by-step instructions for performing basic skills in a clear and concise format. * Cultural focus is reflected throughout and in special boxes to highlight the importance of cultural sensitivity. * Collaborative care and multidisciplinary problems are addressed in narrative and care paths/maps to reflect current health care focus. (Includes FREE CD-ROM with checklists and fluid and electrolyte program, and MERLIN website at:www.harcourthealth.com/MERLIN/Potter/Basic/).