Clinical Examination Skills

This well-illustrated book provides detailed guidance on all aspects of physical examination in patients requiring emergency or intensive care. After an introductory section covering basic principles and the recognition of pre-terminal signs, the approach to examination of individual organ systems is clearly explained. Examination schemes are then presented for particular conditions or settings, including respiratory distress, shock, neurological disease, trauma, suspected infection, and cardiac arrest. The skill of physical examination has become the forgotten art of medicine in both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Furthermore, most books on the topic have so far focused on examination practices applicable to non-critically ill patients. In emergency and intensive care medicine, however, a different approach and sometimes also different examination techniques are required due to the life-threatening disease process. In summarizing knowledge and providing guidance on physical examination in this specific subgroup of patients, this book will meet the needs of all physicians and allied health care professionals involved in the care of critically ill patients.

Today, an increasing number of healthcare professionals (including nurses, midwives and members of many allied professions) have to conduct the vital first stage in a patient’s journey – taking a clinical history and conducting an effective physical examination. This book offers clear, practical guidance on the fundamentals of clinical examination for any practitioner who wishes to understand their patient’s specific needs and to plan appropriate care. Recognising that readers will come from a diverse range of clinical backgrounds and roles, the opening chapter (on consultation and the skills needed to take an accurate clinical history) underpins the systems-based approach. This, combined with the use of case study examples, allows healthcare professionals to focus on the principles of examining the system or systems that are most relevant to their specific area of practice. The book also includes a helpful glossary and list of abbreviations. This new, updated edition contains revised chapters on genitourinary assessment, obstetric assessment and mental health assessment. There is also a completely new chapter on eye, ear, nose and throat assessment, covering the EENT conditions most commonly encountered in primary healthcare. Contents include: • Consultation and clinical history-taking skills • Respiratory assessment • Cardiovascular assessment • Gastrointestinal assessment • Neurological assessment • Genitourinary assessment • Musculoskeletal assessment • Obstetric assessment • Mental health assessment • Perioperative assessment • Eye, ear, nose and throat assessment

The role and function of the nurse is rapidly changing, and nurses are now required to undertake a comprehensive clinical examination of patients, a responsibility traditionally undertaken by a doctor. Clinical Examination Skills is an accessible, introductory guide to helping nurses fulfil this role, enabling them to understand the core skills and knowledge needed to assess patients competently. This practice-based book will be invaluable to pre-registration nursing students and newly qualified nursing staff, empowering them to meet the challenges of autonomous practice.

Since 1988 this textbook has provided a clear and easily grasped explanation of the origins of physical signs when examining a patient, (both historically and physiologically). Much has been rewritten to reflect new thinking and new techniques.

A guide to the techniques and analysis of clinical data. Each of the seventeen sections begins with a drawing and biographical sketch of a seminal contributor to the discipline. After an introduction and historical survey of clinical methods, the next fifteen sections are organized by body system. Each contains clinical data items from the history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations that are generally included in a comprehensive patient evaluation. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Fully updated and revised for its second edition, the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Examination and Practical Skills is the only truly comprehensive pocket guide to all aspects of history taking, physical examination, practical procedures, data interpretation, and communication skills. Packed with expert knowledge and practical guidance it gives realistic advice on coping with common situations. The handbook is structured to allow rapid reference of key information, and to aid understanding with concise and practical clinical guidance. Full colour throughout, it includes over 140 detailed photographs and diagrams of all common examination skills to show you exactly what you need to do and the theory, practice and complications for each. More photos have been included, with over half completely new and specially produced for this edition. Each system chapter covers applied anatomy, history, examination, and the presentation of common and important disorders. Data interpretation covers the basics of x-rays, ECGs and other key areas. A new chapter on the eyes is included along with the sections on body language and non-verbal communication, and the section on practical procedures has been expanded. This handbook will help to ensure you have the confidence and skill to carry out an 'A' grade examination every time.

About this book This concise book is aimed to assist candidates for the Royal College of Physicians MRCP PACES exam. The exam consists of 5 stations, each of which is scored on 7 different skills. This book also caters to medical students and junior doctors, who wish to learn the art of correct clinical examination. This book takes the reader through all of the clinical stations in order, detailing the required clinical examination for each station and describing appropriate communication skills. "There is a plethora of publications to help candidates prepare for written higher examinations in medicine but few that deal with modern clinical examinations. This book meets that need and fills the gap in current provision for aspiring physicians working towards their formal qualifications." Stephen Allen BSc MD FRCP MBA, Consultant Physician and Visiting Professor, The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, UK. About the author Dr. Deepa Iyer is a physician who is passionate about medicine and enjoys teaching the correct clinical examination skills to medical students and junior doctors who are keen to learn. Having successfully passed the MRCP PACES exam herself, she was unable to find a clinical examination book helping doctors through this new examination format. Drawing upon her own experiences, Dr Deepa Iyer has produced this small but essential book to guide the candidate through the exam.

The role and function of the nurse is rapidly changing, and nurses are now required to undertake a comprehensive clinical examination of patients, a responsibility traditionally undertaken by a doctor. Clinical Examination Skills is an accessible, introductory guide to helping nurses fulfil this role, enabling them to understand the core skills and knowledge needed to assess patients competently. This practice-based book will be invaluable to pre-registration nursing students and newly qualified nursing staff, empowering them to meet the challenges of autonomous practice.