Nurse digest : guide to head-to-toe physical assessment.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

General appearance -- Skin, hair and nails -- Head and neck -- Chest -- Abdomen -- Extremities -- Back area -- Tubes, drains, dressings, and IVs.

"When patients are admitted, at the beginning of each shift, and when the patient's hemodynamic status and the surroundings indicate it is necessary, a comprehensive head-to-toe assessment is performed. Health care professionals use the findings from a head-to-toe assessment to determine the patient's overall health status. In case of unusual findings, a focused assessment of the affected body system should follow. The head-to-toe assessment helps to identify any potential health issues that the patient may have, as well as any changes in the patient's condition since the last assessment. It also allows health care professionals to develop an appropriate plan of care based on the patient's individual needs. For example, if a patient has a fever, a focused assessment would include taking the temperature, checking for any skin changes, and evaluating the patient's respiration and heart rate. By assessing the patient from head to toe, health care professionals can identify any potential health issues that may have gone unnoticed in a more focused assessment. This book is divided into eight chapters, each covering a different area of patient education. With the information and resources provided in this book, nurses can feel confident in their ability to educate their patients and support them in managing their health. From understanding the basics of patient education to utilizing evidence-based practices, this book gives decisions. nurses the knowledge and skills necessary to empower their patients to make healthy decisions. It contains a wealth of information about different health topics. It also contains detailed illustrations, and diagrams that can help nurses and other healthcare professionals to better explain and illustrate health conditions to their patients. By arming nurses and other healthcare professionals with this book, they can provide their patients with an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the health topics they discuss, improving patient care and outcomes"-- Back cover.