Your essential guide to diagnostic reasoning and differential diagnosis.
Designed to go beyond performing a physical exam, this text focuses on the thinking behind clinical decision-making. Step by step, you’ll learn how to analyze assessment data, interpret key findings, and determine which conditions may be indicated—developing a systematic approach to differential diagnosis from initial presentation to clinical judgment. Coverage of 170 conditions and symptoms across the lifespan ensures you always have the diagnostic process at your fingertips.
See what students and practitioners are saying online…
Really good organization. Helpful descriptions. Easy to find information.“I actually really liked this text for my Advanced Assessment course. I liked how it was broken down by area or body system, and then further broken down my differential diagnosis. The information is organized in a way that makes sense and is super easy to skim to find exactly what you need.”—Alexx
Happy I bought this book.“This is my number one resource for Differential Diagnosis. The information in this book is making my Assessment class easier. I'm glad I bought it!”— Aida G.
“I use it every day in my practice, it helped me improve my assessment skills.”—Ernest C.
Powerful little clinical assessment tool!“Book required for graduate nursing course. Didn't disappoint! Especially helpful with formulating the differential diagnoses in the care plan...”—Susan
I use this book so much. “I am an NP student and use this book a lot to write my SOAP notes for class. I love how it also includes interventions for each of the diagnosis.”—Online Reviewer
Expanded, Revised & Updated! Thoroughly updated to reflect the art and the science of primary care practice as well as the newest evidence and changes in health care New! Case studies with critical thinking questions at the end of each chapter in Unit 2 (15 cases total, answers posted online for faculty and students)
New! Content on Sports Physicals in Chapter 19: Pediatric Patients New & Expanded! Five new clinical decision-making algorithms New & Updated! Photographs that reflect the diversity of patients seen in practice
Comprehensive coverage of 170 conditions and symptoms across the life span—including children, older adults, and pregnant patients.
Complaint-focused organization by body system, guiding learners from patient presentation through consideration of both common and complex conditions
Step-by-step guidance for diagnostic decision-making, including taking a focused history, performing a targeted physical exam based on presenting problems, and interpreting clinical findings
Clear direction on selecting and interpreting diagnostic tests to systematically narrow the differential diagnosis
Clinical prediction rules for selected disorders to support evidence-based reasoning
High-value quick-reference features, including red flags, assessment pearls, medications that may cause symptoms, and selected causes of common presentations
By:
Mary Jo Goolsby,
Laurie Grubbs
Imprint: F.A. Davis Company
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: Sixth Edition
ISBN: 9781719652643
ISBN 10: 1719652643
Pages: 880
Publication Date: 11 May 2026
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
I. The Art of Assessment and Clinical Decision Making 1. Clinical Decision Making: Assessment and Differential Diagnosis 2. Diagnostic Studies 3. Genomic Assessment: Interpreting Findings and Formulating Differential Diagnoses II. Advanced Assessment and Differential Diagnosis by Body Regions and Systems 4. Skin 5. Head, Face, and Neck 6. The Eye 7. Ear, Nose, Mouth, and Throat 8. Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Systems 9. Respiratory System 10. Breasts 11. Abdomen 12. Genitourinary System 13. Male Reproductive System 14. Female Reproductive System 15. Musculoskeletal System 16. Neurological System 17. Nonspecific Complaints 18. Psychiatric Mental Health III. Assessments and Differential Diagnosis with Special Patient Populations 19. Pediatric Patients 20. Pregnant Patients 21. Assessment of the Transgender or Gender Diverse Adult 22. Older Patients 23. Persons with Disabilities
Principal, Institute for Nurse Practitioner Excellence, Augusta, Georgia Professor Emerita, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
