Now in its third edition, this essential handbook for nurses and allied health professionals gives clear, simple explanations of blood results, focusing on routinely requested investigations.

There have been many changes since the second edition – from alterations in units (such as g/L for haemoglobin, rather than g/dL) to the merging of haematology with biochemistry, blood transfusion and immunology to form blood science.

Accordingly, in this new edition there are more details of immunology, immunological diseases, and the blood tests involved. These changes reflect the new roles which nurses, podiatrists and physiotherapists are developing, often with increased responsibility for examining, diagnosing and managing patients, and ordering and interpreting blood tests.

The objective of this book is to support and enable these professionals to be successful in their new roles. Wherever possible, each chapter concludes with a brief case study. In addition, more complete case reports – reflecting the different aspects of primary and secondary care – are presented in the concluding chapters.

CONTENTS:

• The red blood cell
• The white blood cell
• Coagulation
• Blood transfusion
• Immunology
• Urea & electrolytes, and renal function
• Investigation of liver function and plasma proteins
• Atherosclerosis and its risk factors
• Calcium, bone and musculo-skeletal disease
• Investigation of thyroid function
• Blood gases and pH
• Case reports in primary and secondary care
• Special situations (pregnancy, the neonate, and the elderly)
• Physiotherapy and podiatry
• Adult reference ranges