Health and Physical Assessment

Health and Physical Assessment presents holistic health assessment in a unique narrative format that is practical and consistent. Health assessment is presented as the systematic collection of data that nurses can use to make decisions about how they will intervene to promote, maintain, or restore health. Core assessment content is organized by body system (Chapters 11-22); these chapters include three main sections on Anatomy and Physiology, Examination, and Variations from Health. Special boxes highlight important information such as Risk Factors, Cultural Considerations, and Helpful Hints. At the end of each chapter are Sample Documentation and Diagnoses and Critical Thinking Questions that apply the chapter content to clinical scenarios.

Chapters 1-9 cover topics such as interviewing skills and techniques, health history, assessment of health beliefs and behaviours, developmental assessment across the life span, nutritional assessment, cultural considerations, and general assessment techniques. Chapter 23 covers head-to-toe integrated physical assessment, and Chapter 24 discusses clinical reasoning in determining health status. Chapters 25-28 cover assessment of special populations such as pregnant women, paediatric and geriatric clients, and clients with functional limitations.