This outstanding text provides comprehensive coverage of health promotion and basic and complex gerontologic concepts and issues, as well as the most common medical-surgical problems associated with the older adult. It follows a logical body systems organization and provides streamlined, "need to know" coverage of essential wellness and disorders information. * Detailed discussions of fundamental aging theories provide a basis for biological and psychosocial aspects of quality nursing care. * Comprehensive assessment guidelines identify what are normal, deviations from normal, and abnormal findings for older adults. * Detailed coverage of pain, infection, cancer, chronic illness, loss, death and dying, and substance abuse clearly explains these complex aspects of aging and their related nursing care. * A separate chapter on Cultural Influences, as well as integrated Cultural Awareness boxes, focus on important cultural issues to consider when caring for aging patients.