Preface ix
Acknowledgements xi

1 The Anatomy and Physiology of the Nervous System 1

2 Engaging with Patients and Assessing the Nervous System 29

3 Health Promotion 54

4 Planning Care: Epilepsy 76

5 Vital Signs 100

6 Cognition 117

7 Pain 139

8 Stroke 163

MCQ Answers 184
Index 185

Develop essential skills for enhancing neurological health, ensuring accurate assessment and patient-focused treatment

Clinical Skills and the Nervous System delivers a structured approach to understanding and mastering the clinical assessment and procedural skills that are essential for delivering safe, effective and compassionate care for patients with conditions affecting the nervous system.

Part of Peate’s Clinical Skills, a 12-book series that combines knowledge of human anatomy and physiology with practical, confident clinical skills, this volume is organised into chapters covering how to engage with patients, assessing the nervous system, health promotion, planning care for epilepsy, vital signs, cognition, pain, and stroke.

Clinical Skills and the Nervous System equips readers with:

• Clear explanations of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology relevant to the nervous system
• Step-by-step guidance on assessment, examination, and procedural techniques, emphasising best practice and patient safety
• Insights on interpreting findings, recognising abnormalities, and applying knowledge to guide care decisions
• Guidance on teamwork, infection prevention and control, documentation, and patient-centred care throughout clinical practice
• Strategies to explain diagnoses, treatment plans, and care procedures to patients and families, while offering emotional support

Clinical Skills and the Nervous System is an essential resource for all healthcare and social care students—including those returning to practice and newly qualified practitioners—who manage patients with neurological conditions and seek practical ways to deliver a higher standard of care.