Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Introduction to health assessment -- Critical thinking in health assessment -- Interviewing and communication -- The health history -- Cultural and spiritual assessment -- Physical examination -- Beginning the physical examination: general survey, vital signs, and pain -- Nutrition -- The integumentary system -- The head and neck -- Eyes, ears, nose, mouth and throat -- The respiratory system -- The cardiovascular system -- The peripheral vascular system and lymphatic system -- The gastrointestinal and renal systems -- The breasts and axillae -- The musculoskeletal system -- Mental status -- The nervous system -- Reproductive systems -- Putting it all together -- Assessing children: infancy through adolescence -- Assessing older adults --