A guide to advanced assessment and clinical diagnosis, this text is organized in a body systems framework and focuses on the adult patient. Each chapter focuses on a major problem associated with each particular body system.

This one-of-a-kind resource takes advanced practice clinicians and nurse practitioners beyond what is offered in current health assessment texts. Advanced assessment skills in history taking and differential diagnosis are thoroughly covered. The diagnostic reasoning process helps the practitioner or clinician effectively assess patients and determine accurate clinical diagnoses. Based on a body systems framework, each chapter discusses major problems associated with each particular body system. Both adults and children are included, with divergence in questions, examination, or interpretation of findings noted where pertinent. * Emphasizes symptom- or problem-oriented approach to reflect real-life situations of how patients enter the health care system (with problems, not diagnostic labels). * Uses a Diagnostic Reasoning process to focus on the application of history and physical examination tools to arrive at an accurate clinical diagnosis. * Includes integrated content on children to provide the practitioner with vital information on how symptoms and diagnoses can vary in this population group. * Provides Diagnostic Reasoning - Focused History content in each section with actual questions for the practitioner to ask, taking the practitioner through the thinking process involved in obtaining a relevant problem-specific history. * Highlights Key Questions for the practitioner to ask the patient, followed by an interpretation or explanation of what patient responses might signify, to help guide the practitioner toward an accurate assessment and narrow down a precise diagnosis. * Includes Diagnostic Reasoning - Focused Physical Examination content in each section to instruct the practitioner in what physical examination components to perform. * Presents Laboratory and Diagnostic Studies content in each section that outline the laboratory or diagnostic tests appropriate for the chief complaint and,or suspected diagnosis. * Contains Differential Diagnostic content in each section to summarize the history and physical examination findings, along with the laboratory and diagnostic studies indicated. * Supplies Differential Diagnosis tables at the end of each section, providing a comprehensive overview of previously discussed differential diagnosis content, offering the practitioner an at-a-glance summary of potential diagnoses.

Designed for those who use history and physical examination skills in the clinical setting, this practical resource takes readers to the "next step" of health assessment - beyond basic history and physical examination and into a diagnostic reasoning process. Accessible and concise, it focuses the physical examination around a specific chief complaint rather than a diagnosis or disease entity. Each chapter is organized in five major areas - Diagnostic Reasoning: Focused History; Key Questions; Diagnostic Reasoning: Focused Physical Examination; Laboratory and Diagnostic Studies; and Differential Diagnosis - making it easier to accurately diagnose the majority of patients seen in practice today.

The first textbook to specifically target the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants With a focus on promoting sound clinical decision-making and a streamlined and highly accessible approach, this text for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants delivers up-to-date primary care health assessment techniques for individuals throughout the lifespan. Each chapter offers a concise overview of anatomy and physiology and an in-depth review of normal and abnormal findings. The holistic assessment section for each system—emphasizing the importance of social considerations—further prepares students for informed clinical practice. Chapters feature a comprehensive assessment of special populations, including patients with disabilities; pediatric, pregnant, and elderly patients; and transgendered and veteran populations, as well as differential diagnosis guidance in tabular format. Chapters are further enhanced with illustrations, images, and case studies that demonstrate clinical reasoning and application of principles to practice. A robust ancillary package includes an instructor manual, discussion questions, multiple-choice questions, and PowerPoint slides. Key Features: Addresses anatomy and physiology, normal and abnormal findings, and holistic health assessment, including assessment of special populations Offers case studies with examples of documentation and coding information Fosters diagnostic reasoning and critical-thinking with thorough differential diagnosis tables Provides visual guidance on the recognition and assessment of normal and abnormal findings with illustrations and images Includes a robust ancillary package with an instructor manual, discussion questions, multiple-choice questions, and PowerPoint slides

Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, Third Edition covers the diagnostic reasoning process that providers must follow when assessing an actual case. The text outlines each step of the health assessment process and further demonstrates the link between health history and physical examination. It also provides the healthcare professional with the essential data needed to formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan. New Online Course! Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning, Third Edition features Navigate Premier Access, a robust online course complete with interactive lectures, eBook with health assessment videos and audio clips, syllabus, instructor resource guide, image bank, practice activities, discussion questions, and testing items. Key Features: • Outlines the health assessment and diagnostic reasoning process for a nurse practitioner assessing a new patient • Provides the essential data needed to formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan • Covers the anatomy and physiology of each system • Includes coverage of specific populations (pediatric, pregnancy, geriatric) • Navigate 2 Premier Access

Getting the right diagnosis is a key aspect of health care - it provides an explanation of a patient's health problem and informs subsequent health care decisions. The diagnostic process is a complex, collaborative activity that involves clinical reasoning and information gathering to determine a patient's health problem. According to Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, diagnostic errors-inaccurate or delayed diagnoses-persist throughout all settings of care and continue to harm an unacceptable number of patients. It is likely that most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, sometimes with devastating consequences. Diagnostic errors may cause harm to patients by preventing or delaying appropriate treatment, providing unnecessary or harmful treatment, or resulting in psychological or financial repercussions. The committee concluded that improving the diagnostic process is not only possible, but also represents a moral, professional, and public health imperative. Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, a continuation of the landmark Institute of Medicine reports To Err Is Human (2000) and Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001), finds that diagnosis-and, in particular, the occurrence of diagnostic errorsâ€"has been largely unappreciated in efforts to improve the quality and safety of health care. Without a dedicated focus on improving diagnosis, diagnostic errors will likely worsen as the delivery of health care and the diagnostic process continue to increase in complexity. Just as the diagnostic process is a collaborative activity, improving diagnosis will require collaboration and a widespread commitment to change among health care professionals, health care organizations, patients and their families, researchers, and policy makers. The recommendations of Improving Diagnosis in Health Care contribute to the growing momentum for change in this crucial area of health care quality and safety.

- NEW! Emphasis on clinical reasoning provides insights and clinical expertise to help you develop clinical judgment skills. - NEW! Enhanced emphasis on patient safety and healthcare quality, particularly as it relates to sports participation. - NEW! Content on documentation has been updated with a stronger focus on electronic charting (EHR/EMR). - NEW! Enhanced social inclusiveness and patient-centeredness incorporates LGBTQ patients and providers, with special a emphasis on cultural competency, history-taking, and special considerations for examination of the breasts, female and male genitalia, reproductive health, thyroid, and anus/rectum/prostate. - NEW! Telemedicine, virtual consults, and video interpreters content added to the Growth, Measurement, and Nutrition chapter. - NEW! Improved readability with a clear, straightforward, and easy-to-understand writing style. - NEW! Updated drawing, and photographs enhance visual appeal and clarify anatomical content and exam techniques.