A Practical Guide to Health Assessment

Book info: A Practical Guide to Health Assessment (Spiral-bound, 516 pages) – Saunders, 2002. Language: English.

This step-by-step, illustrated guide shows readers how to take a health history, perform a physical examination, and distinguish normal from abnormal findings. Chapters are arranged by body system, and each begins with a brief, but concise summary of that system's anatomy.

• Demonstrates how to conduct an effective health history with step-by-step tips and 2-colour multicultural illustrations
• Presents specific questions to help readers obtain a comprehensive, subjective profile of the patient's overall physical appearance, behaviour, body development and movement, weight and height, vital signs, respirations and blood pressure
• Highlights specific pediatric and geriatric considerations for the physical exam, normal and abnormal findings, procedures and variations in findings
• Uses illustrations to aid the reader in reviewing anatomy and physiology
• Distinguishes normal from abnormal findings with a 3-column comparative presentation of findings
• Offers illustrated examples of various patient positions and guidance as to when to use a particular positioning method
• Includes lists of equipment needed for general survey and assessing each syste
• Focused Rapid Assessment boxes summarise presenting symptoms for 8 common complaints: headache, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, change in mental status, abdominal pain, low back pain and dizziness
• Expanded cultural content with highlighted cultural considerations, increased cultural competency and awareness
• Updated content throughout ensures clinical currency
• Streamlined design makes more effective use of space and highlights key information
• Icons highlight important content: Transcultural Considerations. Pediatric Considerations. Gertiatric Considerations. Focused Rapid Assessment boxes

Editorial Reviews About the Author Marilyn Shelley Leasia, RN, MSN, FNP, Nurse Practitioner, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY; and Frances Donovan Monahan, PhD, RN, Professor and Coordinator, Department of Nursing, SUNY Rockland Community College, Suffern, NY