Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Unit I. Nursing data collection, documentation, and analysis: Nurse's role in health assessment: collecting and analyzing data -- Collecting subjective data -- Collecting objective data -- Validating and documenting data -- Analyzing data using critical thinking skills -- Unit II.: Integrative holistic nursing assessment: Assessing mental status & psychosocial develpmental level -- Assessing general status &vital signs -- Assessing pain: the 5th vital sign -- Assessing victims of violence --Assessing culture -- Assessing spirituality and religious practices -- Assessing nutrition -- Unit III.: Nursing assessment of physical systems: Skin, hair, and nails -- Head and neck -- Eyes -- Ears -- Mouth, throat, nose, and sinuses -- Thorax and lungs -- Breasts and lymphatic system -- Heart and neck vessels -- Peripheral vascular system -- Abdomen -- Female genitalia -- Male genitalia -- Anus, rectum, and prostate -- Musculoskeletal system -- Nervous system -- Pulling it all together -- Unit IV:Nursing assessment of special groups: Assessing childbearing women -- Assessing newborns and infants -- Assessing children and adolescents -- Assessing frail elderly clients -- Assessing families -- Assessing communities