Mastering APA Citations for Nursing Diagnosis Handbooks: A Comprehensive Guide

Accurate citation is paramount in nursing practice and education, ensuring proper attribution and academic integrity. When utilizing resources like nursing diagnosis handbooks and textbooks, adhering to the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition citation style is essential. This guide provides clarity on how to cite these crucial resources correctly, focusing on examples relevant to nursing professionals and students. We will explore the nuances of citing chapters within edited books, particularly when dealing with adapted editions, a common scenario in nursing literature.

Let’s consider the textbook Physical Examination & Health Assessment as a model, originally an American publication by Jarvis and Eckhardt, and adapted for Canadian contexts by Browne, MacDonald-Jenkins, and Luctkar-Flude. Understanding how to cite this type of resource effectively is directly transferable to citing nursing diagnosis handbooks and similar edited volumes.

Citing a Chapter in an Edited Book (Adapted Edition):

When referencing a specific chapter within an adapted edition, it’s vital to acknowledge both the original author(s) and the adapter(s). The APA format requires a detailed structure to capture these contributions accurately. Here’s how you would cite a chapter from the 3rd Canadian edition of Physical Examination and Health Assessment:

Jarvis, C. (2019). The interview (A. J. Browne, Cdn. Adapt.). In C. Jarvis (Ed.), & A. J. Browne, J. MacDonald-Jenkins, & M. Luctkar-Flude (Cdn. Eds.), *Physical examination and health assessment* (3rd Cdn. ed., pp. 46-61). Elsevier.

Deconstructing this citation, we see the following elements:

• Jarvis, C.: The original author of the chapter.
• (2019): The year of publication for the 3rd Canadian Edition.
• The interview (A. J. Browne, Cdn. Adapt.): The chapter title, clearly indicating it’s been adapted for the Canadian context by A.J. Browne.
• In C. Jarvis (Ed.), & A. J. Browne, J. MacDonald-Jenkins, & M. Luctkar-Flude (Cdn. Eds.): This section names the original editor (Jarvis) and the Canadian editors, specifying their roles.
• Physical examination and health assessment: The title of the book.
• (3rd Cdn. ed., pp. 46-61): Indicates the edition and the page range of the chapter.
• Elsevier: The publisher.

This detailed format ensures all contributors are recognized, which is crucial in academic and professional nursing contexts.

Example for a Chapter in the 4th Canadian Edition:

Building on this, let’s look at an example from the 4th Canadian edition, demonstrating a chapter with a different structure and editors:

Jarvis, C. (2024). Critical thinking and evidence-informed assessment (A. J. Browne, Cdn. Adapt.). In C. Jarvis & A. Eckhardt (Eds.), & A. J. Browne, J. MacDonald-Jenkins, & M. Luctkar-Flude (Cdn. Eds.), *Physical examination and health assessment* (4th Cdn. ed., pp. 1-10). Elsevier.

Notice the addition of Eckhardt as a co-editor for the original American text, further illustrating the comprehensive nature of APA 7th edition citations when dealing with complex publications.

Citing the Entire Edited Book (4th Canadian Edition):

Sometimes, you might need to cite the entire book rather than a specific chapter. Here’s how to cite the complete 4th Canadian edition of Physical Examination and Health Assessment:

Jarvis, C., & Eckhardt, A. (Eds.), & Browne, A. J., MacDonald-Jenkins, J., & Luctkar-Flude, M. (Cdn. Eds.). (2024). *Physical examination and health assessment* (4th Cdn. ed.). Elsevier.

In this case, we list Jarvis and Eckhardt as the original editors and Browne, MacDonald-Jenkins, and Luctkar-Flude as the Canadian editors, followed by the publication year, book title, edition, and publisher.

Applying these Principles to Nursing Diagnosis Handbooks:

While these examples use Physical Examination & Health Assessment, the citation principles are directly applicable to nursing diagnosis handbooks. Whether you are citing a specific diagnosis entry (akin to a chapter) or the entire handbook, follow the same structure:

1. Identify Authors/Editors: Determine the authors of the specific section you are citing and the editors of the handbook.
2. Note Adaptations: If using an adapted or revised edition, include this information in your citation.
3. Include Publication Details: Year, title, edition, page numbers (for chapters/sections), and publisher are crucial.
4. Use “In” for Chapters: When citing a chapter or specific section, use “In” to indicate it’s part of a larger edited work.

By meticulously following these APA 7th edition guidelines, nurses, educators, and students can ensure the accuracy and integrity of their citations when using nursing diagnosis handbooks and related resources. Proper citation not only avoids plagiarism but also strengthens the credibility and professionalism of nursing scholarship and practice.