Davis's Comprehensive Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications, 11th Edition Doody's Expert Review Review Questionnaire ISBN: 9781719650304 ISBN-10: 1719650306 Copyright: 2025 Edition: 11th Author: Van Leeuwen, Anne M., Bladh, Mickey L., Doody's Expert Review    Score: 94 Doody's Star Rating™ and Doody's Expert Review provide by Doody Enterprises, Inc. Reviewer: Tiffany Rose Kong,  MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CNL, NPD-BC  (Rush University Medical Center) Description The book focuses on laboratory and diagnostic tests, explaining their purposes, normal findings, and clinical relevance. It is organized alphabetically, like an encyclopedia, and uses consistent formatting and visual markers so readers can quickly locate each test and review the same categories of information for every entry. The previous edition was published in 2023. Purpose The book's purpose is to provide clinicians with clear, practical guidance for understanding laboratory and diagnostic tests and applying the results to patient care. These goals are worthwhile, as drawing labs, preparing patients for tests, and interpreting test results are routine expectations of healthcare providers. Healthcare providers cannot be experts in every available study. The book fills this need by serving as a reliable reference amid an ever-growing number of diagnostic tests. It meets its objectives by presenting each test in a consistent format and highlighting essential information first, including rationale, indications, possible diagnoses, and nursing responsibilities before and after the procedure. Audience The book's audience is healthcare providers, particularly nurses, who routinely perform, interpret, and incorporate laboratory and diagnostic test results into patient care to drive clinical practice. Although not limited to a single discipline, it is applicable across all specialties because laboratory and diagnostic testing are universal in healthcare. Beyond its stated audience, the book will also benefit students and any practitioners who need a clear and concise reference for understanding common tests. It meets the needs of its audience by keeping information focused and easy to navigate without unnecessary detail. The authors are credible authorities, drawing on their backgrounds as a medical laboratory scientist and a masters-prepared nurse, which allows them to explain tests in a way that resonates with clinical users. Features Since the content is organized alphabetically rather than by chapters, it functions as an encyclopedic reference, with each test following the same structured layout for easy comparison. The two-column design, color-coded headers, and consistent sections help the audience navigate dense information without feeling overwhelmed. The addition of bullet lists and tables of normal values break up the text and make key points easy to locate. The writing is clear, presented as short explanatory statements rather than lengthy paragraphs. The addition of patient and family education, which reinforces the nurse's role in preparing patients and reducing anxiety, is particularly beneficial. Additional features include appendices, a detailed index, and a back-page summary of commonly ordered organ- or disease-specific panels, all of which enhance the book's utilization as a go-to resource. The inclusion of free 30-day access to an online platform, Davis Nursing Consult, further supports ongoing learning for clinicians. The only limitation is the lack of illustrations beyond tables, which could improve visual understanding of more complex diagnostic imaging procedures. Assessment The book is an extremely practical resource for nurses and other healthcare clinicians who need quick reliable guidance when interpreting laboratory and diagnostic tests. They can bring it with them to work and use it on-the-go. It aligns well with the other respected Davis references, such as Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses, which is known as a go-to-manual for pharmacological drugs. The updated edition is clearly justified, as it incorporates recent studies and revised information that reflect current guidelines and evolving diagnostic practices. I strongly recommend this book to nurses in both acute and outpatient settings, as well as to nursing students who are developing their skills in interpreting and integrating diagnostic data into patient care. It serves as a well-rounded, easy-to-use tool that helps readers build confidence in their practice. Review Questionnaire Range Question Score 1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10 1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10 1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5 1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4 1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5 1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5 1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 3 1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 4 1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 4 1-5 Are there sufficient references? N/A 1-5 Rate the currency of the references. N/A 1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. N/A 1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 5 1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A 1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 10 1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 10 ©2026 Doody Enterprises, Inc.