This text offers complete preparation for meeting the needs of families across the continuum - from conception through adolescence. Using a consistent nursing process framework, Maternal-Newborn and Child Nursing provides the essential information for providing accurate, safe nursing care. Special focus is given to cultural influences, community settings, communication, nutrition, pain management, and fostering critical thinking skills essential for adapting to an ever-changing health care environment. Features include: Thinking Critically boxes that provide brief real-life scenarios. Developing Cultural Competence provides information about the potential responses of different ethnic groups to health conditions or health care interventions. As They Grow boxes illustrate the anatomic and physiologic differences in infants and children from adults. Pathophysiology Illustrated boxes illustrate the disease process. Drug Guides for selected medications commonly used in maternal-newborn and child nursing. Complementary Care presents information about commonly used alternative therapies. Growth and Development Considerations detail the different responses of children at various ages to h