Canadian Textbook for Medical-Surgical Nursing

Turn Complex Bedside Data into Defensible Priorities Canadian Textbook for Medical-Surgical Nursing connects physiology, focused assessment, nursing surveillance, intervention, and transitions across adult acute and continuing care. Written for BScN learners entering increasingly complex placements, it places Canadian accountability, cultural safety, Indigenous health, interprofessional communication, and provincial or territorial variation beside the organ-system knowledge required at the bedside. Narrative cases, native comparison tables, numbered decision pathways, and sixty specialty-specific figure prompts reinforce recognition, action, evaluation, and safe transfer of responsibility. The Bedside Priority Compass gives each chapter a repeatable route from signal cluster to clinical meaning, immediate priority, escalation threshold, and continuity anchor. Use the book to strengthen these practice capabilities: Focused history, examination, and trend interpretation — recognize meaningful change before isolated values become catastrophic Fluid, electrolyte, acid-base, perioperative, and symptom reasoning — connect mechanisms with monitoring and reassessment Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, endocrine, renal, and gastrointestinal care — organize system findings into priorities Hematologic, oncologic, infectious, musculoskeletal, and wound management — anticipate complications and protect function Shock, trauma, frailty, delirium, substance use, and complex care — respond to overlapping risks without losing the baseline Medication reconciliation, high-alert therapies, infusion technology, and handover — reduce preventable gaps across teams Discharge, rehabilitation, palliation, goals of care, and MAID — create feasible plans aligned with values and supports Carry a consistent reasoning discipline from first assessment through escalation, recovery, and transition.