Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 12th Edition

Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 12th Edition by Lynn S. Bickley and Peter G. Szilagyi is the long-standing gold-standard reference for clinical assessment. Trusted in medical, nursing, physician assistant, and advanced practice programs around the world, it provides a complete, evidence-based approach to interviewing, taking a health history, and performing the physical examination across the lifespan.

The text walks students step-by-step through each body system, presenting techniques of examination on the right-hand page and corresponding normal and abnormal findings on the left for easy comparison. Hundreds of full-color photographs, anatomical illustrations, and tables of abnormalities illustrate exactly what clinicians should see, hear, and palpate. Dedicated chapters cover the health history, clinical reasoning, recording the encounter, and assessment of infants, children, adolescents, pregnant patients, and older adults.

The 12th edition expands content on health promotion, cultural competence, the patient interview, and the use of evidence in clinical decision-making. Clinical pearls, examples of recorded findings, and case studies prepare learners for real-world practice.

The essential head-to-toe assessment reference for nursing, NP, PA, and medical students and practicing clinicians.