The eighth edition of Focus on Nursing Pharmacology is based on the premise that students first need to have a solid and clearly focused concept of the principles of drug therapy before they can easily grasp the myriad details associated with individual drugs. Armed with a fundamental knowledge of pharmacology, students appreciate and use the specific details that are readily available in the many annually updated and published nursing drug guides.

With this goal in mind, Focus on Nursing Pharmacology provides a concise, user-friendly, uncluttered text for today's student. This difficult subject is presented in a streamlined, understandable, teachable, and learnable manner. Designed to be used in conjunction with a handbook of current drug information, content is streamlined and straight forward.

The text reviews and integrates previously learned knowledge of physiology, chemistry, and nursing fundamentals into chapters focused on helping students conceptualize what is important to know about each group of drugs, with the prototype drug highlighted. Illustrations, sidebars, and tables sum up concepts to enhance learning. Special features further focus student learning on clinical application, critical thinking, patient safety, lifespan issues related to drug therapy, evidence-based practice, patient teaching, and case-study-based critical thinking exercises that incorporate nursing process principles.

The new edition includes updated anatomy illustrations, expanded drug abuse content, and updated content throughout.