Essentials of Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States

Good material for nursing students

Overall, the book is excellent. However, the content could be better organized, with introductory material placed ... at the introduction where it is needed. CONSISTENT organization would also be helpful. This author makes several assumptions, some of which are fair game, some of which are not. For example, she is of the opinion that a critical understanding of anatomy and physiology are essential, and this assumption is spot on. However, while the book isn't intensely based on organic chemistry, she also makes the assumption that the reader should have a rudimentary knowledge of it, at least. Not all of us do. Moreover, while she clearly supplies enough information, it is at times superfluous. This leads the reader to a sorting-out process of what is truly an "essential" of pathophysiology, from what is not. To the prospective health care practitioner, some of this ... sorry ... drivel ... is redundant. There are other pathophysiology books that are, indeed, made incredibly easy without sacrificing content, to say nothing of being more pragmatic, less homiletic. This tome is 1,280 pages in length; most of which is truly essential; some of which truly is not.