Pocket Guide to Physical Assessment

A concise, quick-reference handbook on history taking and physical examination

Pocket Guide to Physical Assessment is a compact yet comprehensive reference for students and practitioners alike, employing a step-by-step framework for effective patient assessment, diagnosis and planning of care.

This valuable guide covers topics including cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal system examinations, patient interviews, history taking and general health assessments. Clear diagrams and checklists illustrate key points, while easy-to-follow instructions and concise descriptions of clinical situations and diseases aid in clinical decision-making.

• Compact, pocket-sized guide that contains only the essential information for physical assessment
• Instructs readers on best clinical practice and how to present and communicate cases
• Develops and improves necessary skills for physical clinical examinations
• Ideal for use on the ward or as a companion to the accompanying textbook, Physical Assessment for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Pocket Guide to Physical Assessment is an invaluable reference for healthcare students, newly qualified and advanced nurse practitioners, and allied health practitioners.

Carol Lynn Cox is Professor Emeritus, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, UK, and Clinic Manager and Director of Nursing, Health and Hope Clinics, Pensacola, Florida, USA.

Contributors vii

Foreword ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgements xiii

1 Interviewing and History Taking 1
Carol Lynn Cox

2 General Health Assessment 29
Carol Lynn Cox

3 Basic Examination, Notes, and Diagnostic Principles 61
Carol Lynn Cox

4 Examination of the Cardiovascular System 75
Carol Lynn Cox

5 Examination of the Respiratory System 105
Carol Lynn Cox

6 Examination of the Abdomen 127
Anthony McGrath

7 Examination of the Male Genitalia 149
Carol Lynn Cox and Anthony McGrath

8 Examination of the Female Genitalia 161
Victoria Lack

9 Examination of the Nervous System 185
Graham M Boswell

10 Examination of the Eye 235
Helen Gibbons

11 Examination of the Musculoskeletal System 265
Nicola L Whiteing

12 Presenting Cases and Communication 297
Carol Lynn Cox

Appendix A Jaeger Reading Chart 311

Appendix B Visual Acuity 3 Meter/21 Foot Chart 313

Appendix C Hodkinson Ten-Point Mental Test Score 315

Appendix D Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living 317

Appendix E Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) 321

Appendix F Glasgow Coma Scale 325

Appendix G Warnings Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease 327

Appendix H Trigger Symptoms Indicative of Dementia 329

Appendix I The 12-Lead Electrocardiogram 331

Index 369

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.