This comprehensive manual contains essential elements aimed at improving the quality of healthcare provided to women across the life span. It provides an enhanced definition of the role and clinical skills of providers, including physician assistants (PAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and nurse practitioners (NPs). The book offers an integrated and unique approach to the healthcare of women. It provides an excellent resource to link theory to clinical practice using critical thinking skills. The book is organized into 10 sections comprising 46 chapters. It begins with a comprehensive review of the basic anatomy and physiology of women. A complete understanding of the complexities of the menstrual cycle and normal vaginal flora, examined at the cellular level, is imperative for accurate understanding and diagnoses of conditions that affect women. The book discusses elements of a comprehensive, developmentally relevant health history with a unique approach to the physiological, psychological, and sociocultural components involved. The basic techniques of the physical examination—with a focus on the gynecologic examination—are outlined. The book provides a comprehensive guide to the assessment of obesity and body mass index. It discusses evaluation of special populations such as pregnant women, lesbian women, and transgenders. The book also describes evaluation of menopausal status, osteoporosis, vulvovaginal atrophy, pelvic pain, vulvodynia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic organ prolapse, and urinary incontinence. It contains critical information regarding women at risk for sexually transmitted infections. A nationally tested questionnaire is included to help identify the victims of violence and abuse. The book presents assessment of infertility and subfertility. It discusses contraception, cervical cancer prevention, vaginal microscopy, sonohysteroscopy, urinalysis, and other investigative procedures and workups. The book finally describes advanced techniques such as vulvar and endometrial biopsy, acrochordonectomy, cervical polypectomy, pessary insertion, intrauterine insemination, and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.

This book presents clinical scenarios that involve various chief complaints and reasons for consults that typically confront cardiovascular clinicians in an acute care setting. It helps the novice and experienced clinician alike particularly those evaluating patients with potential cardiac problems identify and extract key features of the chief complaint in order to formulate an accurate diagnosis. The book prepares new providers in acute care settings to ask the right questions, ask questions early, immediately begin to form a differential diagnosis, and take the best care of the patient who presents with chest pain, shortness of breath, and syncope. It is a must-read for all physician assistants and nurse practitioners who need a handy tool to meet the needs of their patients when they enter the acute care setting. The book presents a case scenario format, contrasting the history obtained by an emergency department provider from that of a cardiovascular provider, helps readers identify critical findings simply and clearly. It exposes key questions and lines of questioning systematically for the most common complaints for which hospital-based cardiologists are consulted. The book is organized into three parts containing thirteen chapters. The first part describes common presentations of acute cardiac conditions such as chest pain, shortness of breath, syncope and elevated troponin. The second part discusses uncommon presentations of acute cardiac conditions such as fatigue, cough and abdominal pain. The final part provides a bonus section on writing up complete history and physical examination finding.

The assessment of genetic/genomic risk is an important tool toward health promotion, prevention, and reduction of disease risk. This book provides a quick and easy format to study the basic elements and steps required for risk assessment. It is geared toward advanced practice registered nurses’ (APRNs), particularly nurse practitioners and midwives who provide assessment, diagnosis, and management of care in clinical settings. The book is divided into 12 chapters, with a wide range of topics to assist APRNs in the risk assessment process. The first chapter provides an introduction to risk assessment including genetics/genomics core competencies for APRNs. The second chapter presents a brief overview of genetics/genomics including basic concepts. The next chapter describes patterns of inheritance. The fourth chapter gives an introduction to risk assessment–review of data including personal, behavioral, environmental, and family history and the assessment of the physical examination. Chapter five describes family history–using a three-generation pedigree and common pedigree nomenclature and symbols. Chapters six, seven, and eight discuss risk identification, risk probability, and risk communication and management including consultation/referral. The next three chapters describe risk assessment process for special populations with considerations in preconception, maternal care, newborn and pediatric care, and cancer care, specifically assessing risks for breast and colon cancer. The final chapter summarizes the future of genetics and genomics. Each chapter includes a brief introduction to the topic, objectives, specific content related to the topic, online resources, and “Info Boxes” that are all integral to the chapter’s focus. Challenges and limitations in the genomic risk assessment are addressed, particularly as they relate to history data and pedigree interpretation. This book serves as a quick reference to use in clinical practice as well as a means to expand APRN’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding genetics/genomics, genomic risk assessment, genetic conditions/disorders/diseases, and referral agencies.

The third edition is designed for nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, students in these areas, and other health professionals who provide prenatal and postpartum care in outpatient settings. Since the first edition was published, practice knowledge has changed in many areas and we were aware of the importance of updating the information. The extensive revisions in this edition reflect new guidelines for practice endorsed by professional organizations and/or the government. Each chapter has been updated with new references and each contains new management strategies. Throughout history, quality care before, during, and after childbirth has played an important role in reducing maternal and fetal death, preventing birth defects, and decreasing the incidence of other preventable health problems. Health care providers have a remarkable opportunity to provide health education, assessment, and early problem identification and management during the preconception and childbearing years. To help achieve these goals, this third edition presents the best available practice evidence for providing preconception, prenatal, and postpartum care in one easy-to-use publication. It is organized into four parts. Part I comprehensively covers preconception counseling and care, as well as the latest guidelines on screening for genetic disorders before and during pregnancy. Part II provides a wealth of information on key assessments, including laboratory and ultrasound diagnostics for the initial prenatal visit and for subsequent visits. Throughout the book, it presents topics using a problem-based schema that highlights history, physical examination, laboratory and diagnostic testing, differential diagnosis, management, indications for consultation and/or referral, and follow-up care. This format is particularly evident in Parts III and IV. The third edition has two new chapters to reflect emerging issues and other pertinent practice concerns based on our conversations with students and ambulatory obstetric providers.

The purpose of this third edition is to assist the student or novice pediatric healthcare provider in solidifying the specialized knowledge and skills that are required when conducting the pediatric history and physical examination. Designed to accompany the text Advanced Pediatric Assessment, the study guide reinforces essential content through case studies and multiple choice Q&As that mirror the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam format. Each chapter of this study guide aligns with the corresponding textbook chapter and follows a uniform format: a chapter overview, expected learning outcomes for the chapter, essential terminology, and critical thinking exercises-many new to this edition-in two formats: short answer, and case study. The chapters then continue with certification exam-style multiple choice questions (with answers), new to this edition, and blank sample documentation to show examples of subjective and objective findings that are necessary to record. It is important for all healthcare providers to be sure that children receive the highest quality care possible, as their young bodies and minds are growing and developing. The book is structured into four units. Unit I present the foundations of child health assessment. Unit II discusses gathering of subjective and objective data from pediatric health history and physical examination. Unit III describes assessment of mental disorders in children and adolescents and assessment of child abuse and neglect. The final unit synthesizes the components of the pediatric health assessment. The author hopes that this study guide will help to augment the student’s learning, and increase the learner’s confidence in providing comprehensive, high quality care to children of all ages.

This book is for the busy clinician working in pediatric primary care, family medicine, and urgent care. It is developed to be a quick reference to help providers navigate through some of the most common presenting complaints and symptoms encountered during the pediatric office visit. It is not a “textbook” to help write a dissertation. It is a book designed for, and by, busy clinicians in the trenches of ambulatory practice. The book is easy to use and gives quick practical guidance. It serves to be useful for an experienced clinician, or a newbie Nurse Practitioner (NP), or a Physician Assistant (PA) student going into their pediatric rotation. This book is unique in that it has been written by both NPs and PAs who work in and teach pediatrics to advanced practicing clinicians. It provides an overview of how to approach the history and physical exam of a pediatric patient based on their age and in the context of the parent/caregiver–child relationship during the pediatric healthcare encounters and discusses the concepts of pediatric growth and development. The book has been organized by common presenting symptoms and made to be a concise and focused review of the most common presenting symptoms within a system. It encompasses all key diagnostic and management essentials needed for safe and effective pediatric practice. By incorporating the most current literature and evidence-based practice, the book explains how to best assess, diagnose, and treat common pediatric disorders in an ambulatory care setting. Chapters consistently include focused assessment and diagnosis of the most common clinical problems and treatment options. The book discusses important developmental milestones, and illness prevention and management sections provide practitioners with important content to educate patients and families easily and thoroughly.

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.

This handbook was developed as a guide to the strategies and best practices needed by clinicians to assess an individual’s health and well-being. It is intended for a broad audience of health science students and clinicians across disciplines who strive to exemplify excellence in evidence-based assessment and practice. The book provides a practical, scientific, and holistic approach to assessment, in a summarized format that provides ease of access to students and clinicians while in lab and clinical settings. It promotes evidence-based assessment to ensure that clinicians are using valid and reliable examination methods in which to base future decision-making. The book incorporates physical and mental dimensions of wellness, social determinants of health, prevention and self-care needs, into assessment in a manner that respects an individual’s personal perspectives, family and community. It summarizes abnormal subjective (history) and objective (physical exam) findings for common disease states across the life span. The book ensures that clinicians are able to conduct a self-assessment of their own personal health and wellness. Learning to effectively assess the health and well-being of an individual involves integrating skills of history taking, physical examination, and diagnostic decision-making within the context of patient-centered, culturally sensitive, evidence-based clinical practice. The book reviews the physical examination components required to inform clinical decision-making and lists the findings that are generally associated with differential diagnoses. Only with evidence-based assessment can a clinician ensure patient safety and high-quality, cost-effective care. The book comprises of 16 chapters. The first two chapters review evidence-based approaches to assessment—the importance of history taking and approach to general survey. Chapters 3 to 11 review assessment priorities and common diagnoses relative to specific body systems. Chapters 12 to 15 focus on assessments related to sexual and reproductive health and obstetric assessment. Chapter 16 focuses on mental status and mental health.

Telemedicine is one of the quickest growing field inside of medicine. In one form or another, it has been around for generations. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the various academies of specialties and state board of medicine or nursing all offer opinions on the efficacy and need for digital health platforms. An organization must analyze the base information from these resources and formulate how to implement in their own organization. This is not an easy task, but to use the road already paved by others and build upon it eases the burden. This book answers these topics and enlightens emerging providers, administrators and payers to the benefits of telemedicine and telehealth. With knowledge comes power and the ability to effect change. The future of telemedicine is in the hands of those who are rendering the services. The technology can and always catch up to the demand. The legislation and business need to be motivated to change. This comes with continued proof that this method of practicing medicine is cost-effective with high patient and provider satisfaction. Deciding if the complaint the patient is presenting for is appropriate for the digital platform is important for the successful completion of the telemedical or telehealth visit. While the provider cannot perform a physical exam via telemedicine, there are techniques that can be implementing uses family, or another trusted person. The book discusses means for self-evaluation and or coaching family and friends through the physical exam. Special equipment can be utilized to also assist in the digital physical exam. Telehealth can also include medical education, administrative care, training events and follow up evaluations with nurses, dieticians, physical and occupational therapists. Telehealth also incorporates the ability to provide medical education and offer an ability to provide in-service to providers and staff.

Systematic, accurate, ongoing physical assessment is a critical component of managing neonates across all settings. The purposes of neonatal assessment include identifying influences of the prenatal environment, evaluating transition to extrauterine life, recognizing early the subtle indicators or changes that may be harbingers of serious problems, and evaluating a plethora of clinical findings to distinguish between normal variations and problems. This book is an excellent resource for beginning and experienced practitioners on gestational assessment, neurologic assessment, neonatal history, and assessment of the dysmorphic infant, as well as the systemic evaluation of individual body systems. Chapters also discuss behavioral and pain assessment, including the use of specific tools with various groups of infants ranging from term to extremely preterm infants. The book addresses implications of antepartum testing and intrapartum for the newborn. The numerous tables, figures, and illustrations, including many color illustrations and photographs, are a major strength that enhances the book’s usefulness as a clinical resource. A glossary provides a quick resource for looking up definitions of findings and techniques. The chapter authors clearly identify areas for assessment, provide the scientific basis for and rationale underlying its various assessment techniques, review standard terminology, and define and exemplify normal and abnormal findings and common variations. The book is both an excellent teaching tool and a resource for anyone who does newborn examinations, including nurses, neonatal and pediatric nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, physicians, and therapists. It should be a core text for any program preparing individuals for advanced practice roles in perinatal and neonatal care. Individual practitioners have varying degrees of familiarity and comfort with the many areas of newborn assessment. This text can serve as an in-depth, systematic introduction to the major components of, and techniques for evaluating all the major systems. The free supplements include a Continuing Nursing Education Test (13.6 contact hours) that epires July 31, 2021.