Book excerpt: Fundamentals of the Physical Therapy Examination: Patient Interview and Tests & Measures introduces physical therapy students to essential screening and examination techniques that form the foundation of their practice, across all body systems. It then builds on the foundational knowledge and helps students develop clinical decision-making skills. Experienced clinicians make numerous and rapid decisions about what questions to ask during a patient interview, what systems need to be screened for problems that lie outside the scope of physical therapy, and what tests and measures must be performed during an initial patient examination. Physical therapy students and some new graduates often struggle with this decision-making process and answering the "why" questions. This text provides the reader with fundamental, step-by-step approach to the subjective and objective portions of the examination process for a broad spectrum of patients within the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary, and cardiopulmonary realms (according to the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice). Ample rationale is provided for why a test/measure would or would not be selected based on the patient's diagnosis or presentation. In addition to rationale to help with the clinical decision-making process, case examples and sample documentation will also be provided. Each new textbook includes access to an extensive array of online videos demonstrating the "how to" for a wide variety of fundamental physical therapy tests and measures, such as gross strength testing, various sensory tests, reflex assessment, and examples of a number of abnormal gait patterns. Also included in the videos are two complete patient examinations (interview and tests/measures), one musculoskeletal and one neurological. Key Features Clinical decision-making flow charts Key point callouts Clinical challenge questions Rationales Case examples Documentation examples Hundreds of full-color photographs Videos* (an online access code accompanies each new print textbook) Key Topics Patient interview techniques and communication tools, including sample interview questions Review of body systems Overview of physical screening tests and measures as outlined by the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice Descriptions, rationales, and case scenarios for each test and measure The step-by-step approach Types of tests and measures: Observation, mental status, and functional assessment Musculoskeletal screening Neurological screening Integumentary screening Companion Website* includes: Key Image Review Web Links Videos of Patient Interviews and Exams Videos of Exam Procedures: Musculoskeletal patient interview and exam Neurological patient interview and exam Gait abnormalities Videos of Tests and Measures: Postural assessments Range of motion Muscle length testing Gross strength testing Dermatome/myotome testing Deep tendon reflexes Sensation Coordination Proprioception Balance Spasticity Babinski Hoffman's Cranial nerve screen Vital signs Ankle-brachial index Cardiovascular and pulmonary screening *Each new print textbook includes an access code to the Companion Website. Electronic formats and eBooks do not include access to the Companion Website. Access to the Navigate Companion Website may be purchased separately. NEW FOR FALL 2014 - Each new text will be available with Navigate 2 Advantage Access providing admission to these mobile-ready course materials: eBook with interactive tools and tutorial videos, practice activities and flashcards, prepopulated quizzes and examinations, and student reporting features.