Book excerpt: There have been major advances in practice nursing in recent years, and a rapid expansion in the role of the practice nurse. The Practice Nurse Handbook is an essential guide to all aspects of clinical practice, health promotion, and practice management, for nurses in general practice. The handbook includes chapters on common medical conditions, screening tests, sexual health, mental health, chronic disease management, travel health, immunisations, and emergency situations. It addresses legal issues, changes in primary care, nurse prescribing and covers key issues in team working. Each chapter contains suggestions for reflection on practice and presents the underlying evidence base. The fifth edition of the Practice Nurse Handbook has been revised and updated to include the latest policy developments, including the National Service Frameworks, changes to the GP contract, information on primary care organisations, Quality and Outcomes Frameworks and new roles for practice nurses