Concise yet thorough guidance on how to safely and competently care for adult progressive care patients and their families Endorsed by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and written by top clinical experts in acute and progressive care nursing, this textbook covers all the must-know details on the care of adult progressive care patients and their families. Supported by helpful tables and algorithms, the book's practical, building-block organization starts with the basics before proceeding to more complex concepts. The AACN Essentials of Progressive Care Nursing includes essential information to successfully prepare for PCCN certification in progressive care and much more! The AACN Essentials of Progressive Care Nursing is divided into four sections: THE ESSENTIALS -- presents information that clinicians must understand to provide safe, competent nursing care to the majority of progressive care patients, regardless of their underlying medical diagnoses PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS -- covers pathologic conditions and management strategies commonly encountered among adult, progressive care patients ADVANCED CONCEPTS IN CARING FOR THE PROGRESSIVE CARE PATIENT -- presents advanced progressive care concepts or pathologic conditions that are less common or more specialized than expected in adult progressive care KEY REFERENCE INFORMATION -- features normal laboratory and diagnostic values; pharmacology tables; algorithms for advanced cardiac life support; and summary tables of cardiac rhythms, ECG characteristics, and treatment guides