<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>Mastering critical thinking skills can be challenging for student nurses. Case studies help but can be flat and predictable. Instead, this book uses unfolding case studies that provide new information as the reader goes along, teaching critical skills and the knowledge to apply what is learned in nursing school to real-life on-the-job situations.<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p>This book was designed with student nurses in mind. It is intended to serve as a tool to provide practice, enhance learning, and increase the propensity for retention and application of basic concepts of health and physical assessment. The book can be used by early-career nursing students who have just begun to cover its concepts as well as by pre-licensure exam students who may benefit from reiteration and reinforcement of concepts learned early on in nursing school--and from practicing applying these concepts to more complex scenarios.</p><p>The book is divided into 13 chapters, all of which are geared toward a particular subject matter. Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the concept of an unfolding case study and the nursing process. Chapter 3 provides an in-depth guide to answering NCLEX-style questions. There are several NCLEX-style questions broken down and analyzed within this chapter and several practice questions for your benefit. The remainder of the chapters are subject-based and cover assessment of the major body systems in a systematic and learner-friendly way. Readers will notice that while each chapter covers different content matter, the chapters are structured in similar ways so the reader can begin to develop a feel for and familiarity with an unfolding case study analysis.</p><p>Goals for the book are: </p><p>*Increased comfort level and confidence in analyzing patient scenarios in regards to basic health assessment<br /> *A more in-depth knowledge of basic health assessment concepts<br /> *Ample chances to practice applying concepts learned in your health assessment course to solidify the information you have learned<br /> *Increased confidence in answering NCLEX-style questions<br /> *Increased knowledge, skill levels, and confidence in assessing and managing patients with a variety of healthcare needs</p><p>The chapters of the book do not have to be completed in any particular order, as they are each individualized to certain subject matter categories. The authors recommend you use these unfolding case studies as a means of evaluating the ability to think critically and apply the concepts learned in health assessment classes to realistic patient scenarios. The book can be used as a study tool during health assessment classes, a health assessment refresher tool during other classes, and an NCLEX study tool after finishing nursing school.</p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><p>"This book is a must-have resource for health assessment educators and their students. Utilizing this text, students will be challenged to apply health assessment concepts and develop important critical-thinking skills. The use of unfolding case studies with NCLEX-style practice questions is extremely useful and can be effective both inside and outside the classroom. This will be a well-loved and dog-eared text on many a bookshelf for years to come."<br /> -Maryanne Davidson, DNSc, APRN, CPNP<br /> Dean, St. Vincent's College<br /> Sacred Heart University</p><p>"Andrea Adimando and Kristi Maynard have put together an extremely useful health-assessment case study book. Whether you are studying for NCLEX or brushing up on your health assessment skills, you will enjoy the unique presentation of unfolding case studies. This book is highly organized and practical, with great visuals and practice questions. As a nursing professor, I know students will enjoy having this book while reviewing for their NCLEX."<br /> -Cynthia Bautista, PhD, APRN, FNCS, FCNS<br /> Associate Professor<br /> Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies<br /> Fairfield University</p><p>"Who wouldn't love a book that identifies, and then reveals, assessment as a superpower? The authors teach via the case studies that progress through the body, system by system, leading students in assessment and then in synthesis of assessment findings to a nursing diagnosis and plan of care. At each step of the nursing process, students are asked to reflect and then select crucial decision points. This approach involves students in the learning process and models assessment and critical-thinking skills. It makes meaning of concepts and encourages students to operationalize fundamental elements of the nursing process. The exemplar case studies are typical of nursing practice and serve to underscore key points of learning. Assessment is a superpower; this book links it tightly with the nursing process through strong case studies and active student learning."<br /> -Deborah W. Smith, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC<br /> Nurse Practitioner Director<br /> Gonzaga University</p><p>"The authors reveal both the complexity and correlations among the many courses required for entry into our profession. Within the soft pages of this book, they have managed to synthesize anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, physical examination, and nursing management while sprinkling NCLEX questions throughout the 13 chapters. This little gem is a gift to soon-to-be graduates as they prepare for their professional career."<br /> -Linda Honan, PhD, CNS-BC, RN, ANEF, FAAN<br /> Professor, Yale School of Nursing</p><p> </p><br>