The textbook retained all of the elements that customers valued:

- Content that reflects state and federal training requirements, OSHA regulations, and current CDC guidelines
- Beautifully illustrated chapters organized around learning objectives
- Clearly-marked procedures and color tabs for easy location of material
- An accessible reading level, perfect for the many different types of students in today's classroom
- Test banks that include chapter exams, as well as a final exam

And was updated with the following information to reflect customers' needs:

- Newly-released information about the USDA's MyPlate, as well as more information about special diets
- Updated material about Alzheimer's disease and infection prevention
- Reorganized chapters means that the common diseases chapter now follows the anatomy and physiology chapter (in addition, diseases are now grouped under their body system to reinforce a body systems approach)
- Expanded section on death and dying
- "Green" material that discusses ways to be environmentally friendly
- New photographs