This textbook features a holistic approach and a strong nursing perspective for assessment of the individual across the lifespan. This edition includes two new chapters: Transcultural Considerations in Assessment, and Critical Thinking in Health Assessment. Other features include: age-specific charts for Periodic Health Exam detail; guidelines for interviewing clients and performing a thorough physical examination; communication skills, including clinical examples of interviewer responses; sample clinical problems, in subjective/objective/assessment/plan (SOAP) format; a translation table containing common health and physical examination questions in English and Spanish; and a demonstration of how nursing diagnoses are derived from assessment.