Includes bibliographical references and index.

Obtaining a nursing health history -- Collecting subjective and objective data -- Performing physical assessment skills -- Assessing psychosocial, cognitive, and moral development -- Assessing mental status and substance abuse -- Assessing general status and vital signs -- Assessing pain : the 5th vital sign -- Assessing for violence -- Assessing nutritional status -- Assessing skin, hair, and nails -- Assessing head and neck -- Assessing eyes -- Assessing ears -- Assessing mouth, throat, nose, and sinuses -- Assessing thorax and lungs -- Assessing breasts and lymphatic system -- Assessing heart and neck vessels -- Assessing peripheral vascular system -- Assessing abdomen -- Assessing musculoskeletal system -- Assessing neurologic system -- Assessing male genitalia and rectum -- Assessing female genitalia and rectum -- Assessing childbearing women -- Assessing newborns and infants -- Assessing older adults.