This title is directed primarily towards health care professionals outside of the United States. An understanding of medicines and their effects on patients remains a crucial area of nursing knowledge. This book provides a thorough foundation upon which nurses can build their clinical experience to achieve competence. It not only provides information on the actions of drugs on the body but also gives clear guidance on the practical aspects of medicines management in both hospital and community. Organisation of the text broadly follows the British National Formulary for ease of use.Management of medicines linked to their therapeutic useMedicine administration linked with relevant care of patients where possibleBasic principles of clinical pharmacology underpin the therapeutic chaptersA chapter on the role of patients and carers is includedAll content revised in the light of changes in drug therapy, clinical practice and medicines management including nurse prescribingKey objectives for each chapterSelf-assessment exercises with answersMore detail relating to palliative care; nurse prescribingA new section on Intensive TherapyTotally redesigned in two colours with improved design and page layout, and better illustrations