Health & Physical Assessment in Nursing, 4th edition
Published by Pearson (March 13, 2019) © 2020
- Cynthia Fenske
- Katherine Dollan Watkins
- Tina Saunders
- Donita D'Amico
- Colleen Barbarito
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MyLab
For courses covering health assessment.
All the health assessment skills students need to think like a nurse
Health & Physical Assessment in Nursing helps nursing students master the art, science and skills of health and physical assessment for the RN. Taking a holistic approach, the text focuses on assessing the whole person and recognizing the diversity of patients and care settings. It imparts evidence-based knowledge and step-by-step skills alongside discussions of health, wellness, communication and culture.
The 4th Edition adds three new chapters covering the assessment of pediatric and older patients. The new content prepares students to document both subjective and objective findings.
Hallmark features of this title
Key health and physical assessment skills
- Step-by-step demonstrations of physical assessment techniques are presented in physical assessment chapters.
- Focused interview questions help students gather subjective data while conducting a patient interview.
- Special Considerations boxes discuss issues to consider when collecting subjective and objective data.
Learning references and resources
- Hundreds of photos and illustrations show students how to perform techniques. Certain images help students recognize abnormal findings, diseases and conditions.
- Application Through Critical Thinking case studies challenge students to apply clinical reasoning to detailed patient scenarios.
New and updated features of this title
New emphasis on research
- NEW: A new Chapter 6, Documenting Your Findings, provides core principles for accurate documentation, while distinguishing methods of documentation for subjective and objective data.
- NEW: Boxes summarizing the findings of recent studies have been added throughout the text. They reinforce evidence-based practice information critical for student success and nursing excellence.
New tools for skill development
- NEW: Components of medical terminology have been integrated into this edition. At the start of most chapters, prefixes, suffixes and root words found in the chapter appear after Key Terms.
- NEW: Step-by-step instructions for advanced, but less common, skills are in Appendix C.
New chapters covering the lifespan
- NEW: A new Chapter 26, Newborns, Infants, Children and Adolescents, focuses on assessing pediatric populations and shows changes in practice as children age.
- NEW: A new Chapter 27, Older Adults, presents assessment techniques and considerations for the older adult patient. Abnormal conditions of the aging process are identified.
Features of MyLab Nursing for the 4th Edition
- Dynamic Study Modules are adaptive learning modules with remediation. They assess students' performance in real time, while helping them master and retain key concepts.
- Pearson eText is an easy-to-use digital textbook available within MyLab. It lets students read, highlight and take notes all in one place, even offline.
- Clinical case studies give students practice analyzing information and making important decisions at key moments in patient care scenarios. These 15 unfolding case studies are continuations of case studies in the text.
- Practice tests with more than 1,000 NCLEX®-style questions of various types build student confidence and prepare them for success on the NCLEX-RN® exam. Questions are organized by chapter.
UNIT I: FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH ASSESSMENT
- Health Assessment
- Health and Wellness
- Cultural and Spiritual Considerations
- Health Disparities
UNIT II: TECHNIQUES FOR HEALTH ASSESSMENT
- Interviewing and Health History: Subjective Data
- Documentation
- Physical Assessment Techniques and Equipment
- General Survey and Physical Exam: Objective Data
- Pain Assessment
- Nutritional Assessment
- Psychosocial Health, Substance Use, and Violence Assessment
UNIT III: PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
- Skin, Hair, and Nails
- Head, Neck, and Related Lymphatics
- Eyes
- Ears, Nose, Mouth, and Throat
- Lungs and Thorax
- Breasts and Axillae
- Cardiovascular System
- Peripheral Vascular System
- Abdomen
- Male Genitourinary System
- Female Genitourinary System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Neurologic System
UNIT IV: SPECIALIZED ASSESSMENT
- Pregnant Woman
- Infants, Children, and Adolescents
- Older Adult
- Complete Health Assessment
Appendices
- Standard Precautions for All Patient Care
- Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings
- Advanced Assessment Techniques
About our authors
Cynthia Fenske, DNP, RN, CNE, is Campus Dean for Nursing and an associate professor at Concordia University Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Fenske graduated with a BSN from Valparaiso University and an MS in medical-surgical nursing from the University of Michigan. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She was a faculty member at the University of Michigan for 32 years prior to leaving to start a nursing program at Concordia University Ann Arbor. In the classroom her teaching responsibilities include physical assessment, medical-surgical nursing and fundamentals; in the laboratory setting she teaches physical assessment, nursing skills and simulation. Dr. Fenske has published articles on the use of simulation and innovative teaching strategies to assess and enhance learning. She is a faculty advocate, consultant and trainer for Pearson's virtual community, The Neighborhood 2.0. Her research includes strategies to improve the development of clinical judgment and interprofessional teamwork skills through the use of simulation. Dr. Fenske is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the State of Michigan State Board of Nursing.
Katherine Watkins, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, CNE, is a clinical professor and Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Coordinator at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Dr. Watkins earned her MSN as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Yale University, her post-masters certificate in nursing education at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and her DNP from Northern Arizona University. Kate earned dual bachelor's degrees in architecture and geography and spent many years as a successful graphic designer and illustrator before coming to professional nursing and nursing education. After earning an MSN, she moved to Alaska and practiced as a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner and began teaching nursing full time at UAA. Kate has taught a variety of courses at all levels and delivery formats in nursing education with a particular focus on teaching nursing assessment at the pre-licensure and advanced levels. Dr. Watkins is a certified nurse educator, and practices part time as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner in rural northern Arizona. She volunteers as a manuscript reviewer for Journal of Pediatric Health Care, and on TeamPEDS of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Tina Saunders MSN, RN, CNE, GCNS-BC, is a senior lecturer at the Kent State University College of Nursing in Kent, Ohio. Ms. Saunders earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Youngstown State University and a master's degree in nursing as an adult clinical nurse specialist with a specialization in gerontology from Kent State University. She has been a faculty member of the College of Nursing at Kent State University since 2006. Ms. Saunders is the coordinator for the MSN nurse educator concentration, and teaches in the RN-to-BSN program as well as in the adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist and nurse educator MSN program concentrations. Her clinical practice experience includes long-term care and critical care step-down nursing. Ms. Saunders has published an article on teach back methodology in orthopedic nursing and has authored online RN-BSN health assessment and capstone courses for Pearson. She serves on several committees and task forces, and in leadership positions within Kent State University at the College of Nursing. She is a member of the Delta Xi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, National League for Nursing, Northeast Ohio Clinical Nurse Specialists, Midwest Nursing Research Society and Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. Additionally, she serves on the editorial review board of the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN).
Donita D'Amico, MEd, RN, a diploma nursing school graduate, earned her baccalaureate degree in nursing from William Paterson College. She earned a master's degree in nursing education at Teachers College, Columbia University, with a specialization in adult health. Ms. D'Amico has been a faculty member at William Paterson University for over 30 years. Her teaching responsibilities include physical assessment, medical-surgical nursing, nursing theory and fundamentals in the classroom, skills laboratory and clinical settings. Within the university, she is a charter member of the Iota Alpha Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. She also serves as a consultant and contributor to local organizations.
Colleen Barbarito, EdD, RN, received a nursing diploma from Orange Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, graduated with a baccalaureate degree from William Paterson College and earned a master's degree from Seton Hall University, all in New Jersey. She received her doctor of education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Barbarito's clinical experiences include medical-surgical, critical care and emergency nursing. Dr. Barbarito has been a faculty member at William Paterson University since 1984, where she has taught physical assessment and a variety of clinical laboratory courses for undergraduate nursing students and curriculum development at the graduate level. Dr. Barbarito is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the National League for Nursing.
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