Book Review: Endocrinology: A Nursing Approach

by Norma Car lisle Muthe , RN, MA. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1981 , 244 pages, $10 .95 paperback. This book is unique as a clear , readable explanation of a complicated subject , written especially for nurses . Chapters are organized by gland and describe the hormones , their actions, and the effects of deficiency or excess. Disease entities , such as Hashimoto's, infertility, or amenorrhea are not approached as problems, but alluded to only in connection with appropriate hormones . The diabetes educator will appreciate the discussions of growth hormone , ACTH , epinephrine , and pancreatic and intestinal glucagon . The diabetogenic effect of excess thyroxine is explored. Thirty five pages are devoted to diabetes , including secondary hormonal causes , diagnostic tests , oral agents, insulin , exercise, diet and food exchanges , complications, teaching, children and adolescents, pregnancy and new concepts are all given adequate , but cursory treatment. A section on resources for patient literature and visually-impaired is helpful. This book would be an addition to the nurses' desk of any medical floor or clinic. AH