3rd Edition

Physical Examination Procedures for Advanced Practitioners and Non-Medical Prescribers Evidence and Rationale

By Beth Griffiths, Trudy Alexander Copyright 2026
226 Pages 36 Color Illustrations
by Routledge

226 Pages 36 Color Illustrations
by Routledge

This fully revised edition provides up to date, evidence based insights to enhance the readers’ knowledge and skills when performing physical examinations of adult patients.

Rather than presenting step by step procedural instructions, the focus is on what clinicians might discover during an examination; insights that support diagnostic reasoning. The reliability of examination techniques is also explored, with each chapter discussing the varying accuracy of procedures according to the research evidence available.

An invaluable resource for those preparing for clinical exams, it also serves as a practical aide- memoire for qualified professionals in daily practice. Each chapter includes reflective practice vignettes highlighting real world challenges, along with case study quizzes to reinforce learning.

Designed for a wide range of healthcare professionals including nurses, pharmacists, physician associates, paramedics, physiotherapists, anaesthetic assistants, medical students, and doctors, this text supports anyone involved in conducting clinical examinations.

1   The preliminary examination                                                                                     

Beth Griffiths, Zoë Rawles

2   The cardiovascular system                                                                                         

Beth Griffiths

3   The respiratory system                                                                                               

Trudy Alexander, Zoë Rawles

4   The ear, nose (mouth) and throat                                                                              

Beth Griffiths, Zoë Rawles

5   The abdomen                                                                                                               

Trudy Alexander

 6   The genitourinary system                                                                                           

Beth Griffiths

 7   The breast                                                                                                                     

Trudy Alexander

 8   The upper limb                                                                                                            

Trudy Alexander, Zoë Rawles

 9   The back                                                                                                                       

Beth Griffiths, Zoë Rawles

10 The lower limb                                                                                                            

Beth Griffiths

11 The peripheral nervous system                                                                                  

Trudy Alexander

12 The cranial nerves                                                                                                       

Trudy Alexander

13 The eye                                                                                                                         

Trudy Alexander

14 Mental health examination                                                                                         

Beth Griffiths 

15 The Immune System

Trudy Alexander

16 Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender-Diverse Assessment

Beth Griffiths

Biography

Beth Griffiths is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner formerly working in Primary/Community Care (NHS, UK), and Senior Lecturer in Advanced Practice (Swansea University).

Trudy Alexander is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner working in Primary Care (NHS, UK), and formerly a Lecturer on the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (Swansea University).

Zoë Rawles was formerly an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care (NHS UK). She was also a Lecturer on the MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice (Swansea University) and Director of Healthtrain Ltd. (Co-author for the first and second editions).