Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 13th Edition

Mary Beth Flynn Makic and Marina Reyna Martinez-Kratz, both esteemed nursing educators, have collaboratively edited the 13th edition of the “Nursing Diagnosis Handbook.” This edition employs a comprehensive three-step approach, enabling nurses to proficiently navigate client assessment, diagnosis, and care planning. The book stands as a guiding beacon for nurses seeking to bolster their skills in diagnostic reasoning and critical thinking.

The handbook is structured into two main sections, facilitating an easy grasp of the nursing process and the selection of appropriate nursing diagnoses. Section I and Section II offer a step-by-step guide, empowering readers to utilize the “Guide to Nursing Diagnoses” and “Guide to Planning Care” sections efficiently. The three-step methodology streamlines the creation of unique, individualized care plans.

An exceptional feature of this edition is the inclusion of care plans for each NANDA-I-approved nursing diagnosis, totaling over 1450 client symptoms. This extensive coverage simplifies care planning, bolstering nurses’ confidence in delivering tailored care. Moreover, the integration of interventions from NIC and outcomes from NOC further enriches the content, providing evidence-based strategies with supporting research studies and references for each intervention.

The book’s Evolve website offers supplementary materials, including a care plan template, case studies, and review questions, enhancing the learning experience for readers. Notably, the content reflects the most recent updates based on the 2021-2023 NANDA-I-approved nursing diagnoses, encompassing new, revised, and retired diagnoses. Additionally, the inclusion of class and domain information in the updated nursing diagnoses aligns with the current NANDA-I standards.

Emphasizing quality, safety, and cultural sensitivity, the book incorporates pediatric, geriatric, multicultural, and home care interventions where relevant, catering to various care settings. The focus on QSEN content in Section I underlines the imperative considerations essential for safe patient care.

Handy features like the index of NANDA-I diagnoses and alphabetical thumb tabs facilitate quick access to specific symptoms and nursing diagnoses, enhancing the book’s usability as a reliable on-the-job reference.

In conclusion, the “Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 13th Edition” serves as an indispensable resource for nurses at all levels, offering a robust framework for crafting individualized care plans. Its systematic approach, enriched content, and alignment with current standards ensure its relevance and usefulness in contemporary nursing practice. This edition not only strengthens foundational skills but also supports nurses in delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care across diverse healthcare settings.

We would rate this book 4.8/5 as it reflects the book’s effectiveness as a valuable resource for nurses and nursing students, providing extensive information, practical guidance, and relevant content to support nursing care planning and critical thinking.