Physical Assessment for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals offers a practical and comprehensive guide to best clinical practice when taking patient history and physical examination. This accessible text is structured in accordance with the competencies for advanced practice in assessment, diagnosis and treatment as published by the RCN. Following a systematic, systems-based approach to patient assessment, it includes a summary of the key clinical skills needed to develop and improve clinical examination in order to confidently assess, diagnose, plan and provide outstanding care.
In this revised edition, colour photographs and case studies have been included to assist health care practitioners in their assessment of the patient. This important guide:
- Includes a highly visual colour presentation with photographs and illustrations
- Features a wide range of key learning points to help guide practice
- Offers illustrative examples, applications to practice and case studies
Written for health care students, newly qualified and advanced nurse practitioners, and those in the allied health professions, Physical Assessment for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals is the essential guide for developing the skills needed to accurately access patient history and physical examination.
Table of Contents
List of Contributors xvii
Foreword xix
Preface xxi
Acknowledgements xxiii
Introduction: The First Approach xxv
Chapter 1 Interviewing and History Taking 1
Carol Lynn Cox
Chapter 2 General Health Assessment 15
Carol Lynn Cox
Chapter 3 Examination of the Skin, Hair, and Nails 37
Siobhan Hicks
Chapter 4 Examination of the Cardiovascular System 67
Carol Lynn Cox and Carrie E. Boyd
Chapter 5 Examination of the Respiratory System 103
Carol Lynn Cox and Jessica Ham
Chapter 6 Examination of the Abdominal System 123
Anthony McGrath
Chapter 7 Examination of the Male Genitalia 149
Michael Babcock, Carol Lynn Cox, and Anthony McGrath
Chapter 8 Examination of the Female Breast 159
Victoria Lack
Chapter 9 Examination of the Female Reproductive System 167
Victoria Lack
Chapter 10 Examination of the Nervous System 185
Michael Babcock and Graham M. Boswell
Chapter 11 Examination of the Eye 241
Helen Gibbons
Chapter 12 Mental Health Assessment 267
Patrick Callaghan
Chapter 13 Examination of the Musculoskeletal System 287
Daniel Apau, Michael Babcock, and Nicola L. Whiteing
Chapter 14 Assessment of the Child 333
Carol Lynn Cox
Chapter 15 Assessment of Disability Including Care of the Older Adult 375
Carol Lynn Cox and Brandy Lunsford
Chapter 16 Imaging Techniques, Clinical Investigations, and Interpretation 383
Jennifer Edie
Chapter 17 Basic Examination, Notes, and Diagnostic Principles 415
Carol Lynn Cox and Brandy Lunsford
Chapter 18 Presenting Cases and Communication 425
Carol Lynn Cox and Brandy Lunsford
Appendices 433
Index 441
