Essentials of Medicine: A Bedside Approach
- 1st Edition - October 6, 2025
- Latest edition
- Author: V.Dharma Rao
- Language: English
This book is designed for Indian Medical Graduates pursuing the MBBS course, aligned with the CBME curriculum. It offers a structured, competency-based approach to learning… Read more
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This book is designed for Indian Medical Graduates pursuing the MBBS course, aligned with the CBME curriculum. It offers a structured, competency-based approach to learning essential clinical skills, diagnostic reasoning and exam preparation, making it a practical companion for both students and young doctors.
- Comprehensive CBME Alignment: Each chapter is meticulously mapped to the core competencies outlined in the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum for Indian Medical Graduates.
- Foundation of Clinical Skills: Covers essential clinical competencies including History Taking, Symptom Analysis and Systematic Physical Examination, providing a structured approach for students to master bedside skills.
- OSCE & Exam Readiness: Dedicated chapters on OSCE stations, Long & Short Cases and Spotters commonly encountered in university assessments to boost clinical confidence and exam performance.
- Clinical Reasoning Simplified: A focused chapter on Differential Diagnosis equips learners with logical frameworks to sharpen diagnostic thinking, aligned with CBME objectives.
- Core Clinical Case Compilation: Extensive coverage of key clinical conditions every Indian Medical Graduate must know, with integrated discussions on symptomatology, pathophysiology, investigations and management.
- ECG & Chest X-ray Mastery: Practical, stepwise approach to ECG interpretation and Chest X-ray analysis, covering fundamentals to advanced concepts essential for clinical practice.
- Essential Diagnostic Charts: Easy-to-understand interpretations of commonly used medical charts including ABG, PFT, CSF analysis, CBC, Liver, Renal and Thyroid function tests, among others.
- Pharmacology and Instrumentation Guide: Quick reference to commonly used drugs and essential clinical instruments to enhance practical knowledge and ward-readiness.
An all-in-one resource designed to build clinical competence, diagnostic acumen and exam success for MBBS students navigating the CBME curriculum.
SECTION 1 Foundations: History and Examination
1 History Taking, 2
Introduction, 2
Process of History Taking, 3
Approach to the Patient, 4
Initial Rapport, 4
Identifying the Problems and Concerns, 4
History-Taking Technique, 4
History-Taking Sequence, 4
Source of Information, 4
Identifying Data, 4
Presenting or Chief Complaint, 5
History of Present Illness, 5
Drug History and Allergies, 7
Social and Personal History, 8
Family History, 9
Review of Systems, 10
2 Symptom Analysis, 13
Abdominal Distention, 14
Abdominal Pain, 19
Angina, 24
Chest Pain, 27
Anorexia, 32
Constipation, 35
Cough, 39
Diarrhoea, 42
Dysphagia, 46
Dyspnoea, 52
Fever, 56
General Weakness, 60
Haematemesis and Malaena, 63
Hemianaesthesia, 67
Nausea and Vomiting, 69
Palpitation, 73
Syncope, 77
Tingling Sensation, 83
Urinary Symptoms, 85
Weight Gain, 89
Weight Loss, 92
3 Physical Examination, 94
Sequence of Physical Examination, 94
General Examination, 95
Causes of Propped Up Decubitus, 96
Cardiovascular System Examination, 101
Respiratory System, 113
Abdomen, 121
Nervous System, 132
Th e Musculoskeletal System, 170
SECTION 2 Clinical Skills: Assessment
4 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), 176
Anaemia, 177
Ascites, 178
Cardiac Auscultation, 179
Cervical Lymphadenopathy, 180
Clubbing, 181
Bell’s Palsy, 182
Unilateral Facial Droop, 183
Chest Movement, 184
Chest Shape, 185
Cyanosis, 186
Oedema, 187
Gait Examination, 188
Tongue Examination, 189
Jaundice, 190
JVP Measurement, 191
Neck Veins Examination, 192
Nystagmus Examination, 193
Palpation of Apex, 194
Palpation of the Base of Heart, 195
Pericardial Rub Examination, 196
Plantar Response, 197
Pleural Rub Examination, 198
Ptosis, 199
Pulse Examination, 200
Tremor Examination, 201
Visible Peristalsis Examination, 202
SECTION 3 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Judgement
5 Generation of Differential Diagnosis, 204
Diff erential Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction, 210
Making a Diagnosis, 212
6 Long Cases, 213
Anaemia, 214
Generalized Lymphadenopathy, 222
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, 227
Hypertension, 232
Pleural Eff usion, 241
Pneumonia, 248
Lung Collapse/Fibrosis, 256
Hydropneumothorax, 260
Pneumothorax, 265
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, 272
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 282
Asthma, 291
Bronchiectasis, 304
Lung Abscess, 312
Rheumatic Fever, 316
Mitral Stenosis, 322
Mitral Regurgitation, 328
Aortic Stenosis, 332
Aortic Regurgitation, 336
Atrial Fibrillation, 341
Heart Failure, 347
Infective Endocarditis, 351
Pericardial Eff usion, 357
Cirrhosis of Liver, 363
Portal Hypertension, 374
Malaria, 381
Acute Viral Hepatitis, 388
Alcoholic Liver Disease, 395
Typhoid, 401
Human Immunodefi ciency Virus (HIV), 405
Acute Nephritis, 418
Nephrotic Syndrome, 426
Diabetes, 437
Rheumatoid Arthritis, 456
Obesity, 463
Stroke, 473
Hemiplegia, 488
Seizures, 497
Peripheral Neuropathy, 502
Transverse Myelitis, 510
Headache, 515
Paraplegia, 524
Quadriplegia, 539
7 Short Cases, 543
General Examination, 544
Goitre, 557
Cervical Lymphadenopathy, 560
Hepatomegaly, 563
Splenomegaly, 567
Higher Mental Function, 571
Cranial Nerve Palsy, 572
Bell’s Palsy, 577
Bulbar Palsy, 580
Pseudobulbar Palsy, 584
Ptosis, 586
Pupillary Abnormality, 589
Visual Disturbance, 591
Vision Impairment, 594
Ophthalmoplegia, 596
Facial Pain, 599
Speech Abnormality, 602
Aphasia, 604
Dysarthria, 606
Nystagmus, 609
Squint, 612
Vertigo, 614
Deafness, 617
Altered Taste Sensation, 619
Motor System Examination, 621
Tremors, 629
Sensory System, 631
Gait Abnormality, 633
Cerebellar Disorder, 636
8 Spotters, 638
Key Highlights of Spider Angioma, 639
Key Highlights of Palmar Erythema, 640
Key Highlights of Rheumatoid Arthritis, 641
Key Highlights of Scabies, 642
Key Highlights of Psoriasis, 643
Key Highlights of Leprosy, 644
Key Highlights of Scleroderma, 645
Key Highlights of SLE, 646
Key Highlights of Subcutaneous nodules, 647
Key Highlights of Pretibial Myxoedema, 648
Key Highlights of Exophthalmos, 649
Key Highlights of Cushing’s Syndrome, 650
SECTION 4 Diagnostic Tools and Interpretation
9 ECG, 652
Recording an Electrocardiogram, 653
Waveforms, Segments and Intervals, 657
Rate and Rhythm, 661
Heart Blocks, 669
Axis Determination, 670
Chamber Enlargement, 673
Bundle Branch Blocks, 675
Identifi cation of Infarction, 676
10 Chest X-Ray and Other X-Rays, 686
11 Charts, 718
Temperature Charts, 719
Charts on Glucose Tolerance Test, 722
Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation, 728
Pulmonary Function Test, 735
Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis, 740
Liver Function Tests, 742
Stool Reports, 743
Charts on Urine Examination, 745
Ascitic Fluid Report, 747
Pleural Fluid Analysis, 748
Bone Marrow Reports, 749
Complete Blood Count (CBC) Reports, 750
Blood Glucose Reports, 759
Th yroid Profi le Report, 761
Lipid Profi le Report, 763
Renal Function Tests, 765
SECTION 5 Therapeutics and Rational Drug Use
12 Drugs, 768
Drugs for Asthma, 769
Drugs for Hypertension, 771
Drugs for Heart Failure, 773
Drugs for Angina, 775
Drugs for Arrhythmia, 776
Drugs for Diabetes, 778
Drugs for Tuberculosis, 780
Drugs for Malaria, 781
Drugs for Parkinson’s disease, 783
Drugs for Epilepsy, 784
Drugs for Kala-Azar, 786
Drugs for Leprosy, 787
Diuretics, 788
Lipid Lowering Agents, 791
Anti-Snake Venom, 793
Drugs for Th yroid Disorders, 794
Drugs for Hypercalcaemia, 795
Drugs for Hypocalcaemia, 796
Fibrinolytic Agents, 797
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) Inhibitors, 799
Highly Active Antiretroviral Th erapy, 800
Narcotics (Opioids), 802
Drugs for Obesity, 804
Drugs for Acid Peptic Disease Including Helicobacter
pylori, 806
Drugs for Diarrhoea due to Parasites, 808
Drugs for Diarrhoea due to
Bacteria and Viruses, 810
Drugs for Crohn’s Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis, 811
Drugs for Migraine (Abortive Th erapy), 812
Drugs for Migraine (Preventive Th erapy), 813
Drugs for Meningitis, 814
Drugs for Non-Haemorrhagic Stroke, 815
Acute Th erapy for Non-Haemorrhagic Stroke, 815
Indications for Anti-Platelet Agents
in Non-Haemorrhagic Stroke, 815
Role of Anti-Platelet Agents
in Non-Haemorrhagic Stroke, 815
Life-Saving Drugs, 816
Penicillin Prophylaxis in the Prevention of Rheumatic
Heart Disease, 818
SECTION 6 Clinical Instruments and Procedures
13 Clinical Instruments and Procedures, 820
Injections, 821
Blood Culture, 826
Blood Peripheral Smear Examination, 831
PPD (Mantoux) Test, 832
Nasogastric Tube Placement, 834
Lumbar Puncture, 837
Urinary Bladder Catheterization, 841
Bone Marrow Examination, 848
Procedure for Bone Marrow Aspiration, 849
Liver Biopsy Needle, 851
Pleural Fluid Aspiration, 853
Intercostal Tube Drainage, 856
Abdominal Paracentesis, 858
Endotracheal Intubation, 860
AMBU Bag, 862
Stethoscope, 863
Th ermometer, 864
Tuning Fork, 866
Refl ex Hammer, 867
Measuring Tape, 868
Tongue Depressor, 869
Metered-Dose Inhaler, 870
Peak Flow Metre, 872
Proctoscope, 873
Tests for Stool Occult Blood, 874
Capillary Blood Glucose Test, 875
Urinary Ketone Estimation With a Dipstick, 876
Fundus Examination, 877
1 History Taking, 2
Introduction, 2
Process of History Taking, 3
Approach to the Patient, 4
Initial Rapport, 4
Identifying the Problems and Concerns, 4
History-Taking Technique, 4
History-Taking Sequence, 4
Source of Information, 4
Identifying Data, 4
Presenting or Chief Complaint, 5
History of Present Illness, 5
Drug History and Allergies, 7
Social and Personal History, 8
Family History, 9
Review of Systems, 10
2 Symptom Analysis, 13
Abdominal Distention, 14
Abdominal Pain, 19
Angina, 24
Chest Pain, 27
Anorexia, 32
Constipation, 35
Cough, 39
Diarrhoea, 42
Dysphagia, 46
Dyspnoea, 52
Fever, 56
General Weakness, 60
Haematemesis and Malaena, 63
Hemianaesthesia, 67
Nausea and Vomiting, 69
Palpitation, 73
Syncope, 77
Tingling Sensation, 83
Urinary Symptoms, 85
Weight Gain, 89
Weight Loss, 92
3 Physical Examination, 94
Sequence of Physical Examination, 94
General Examination, 95
Causes of Propped Up Decubitus, 96
Cardiovascular System Examination, 101
Respiratory System, 113
Abdomen, 121
Nervous System, 132
Th e Musculoskeletal System, 170
SECTION 2 Clinical Skills: Assessment
4 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), 176
Anaemia, 177
Ascites, 178
Cardiac Auscultation, 179
Cervical Lymphadenopathy, 180
Clubbing, 181
Bell’s Palsy, 182
Unilateral Facial Droop, 183
Chest Movement, 184
Chest Shape, 185
Cyanosis, 186
Oedema, 187
Gait Examination, 188
Tongue Examination, 189
Jaundice, 190
JVP Measurement, 191
Neck Veins Examination, 192
Nystagmus Examination, 193
Palpation of Apex, 194
Palpation of the Base of Heart, 195
Pericardial Rub Examination, 196
Plantar Response, 197
Pleural Rub Examination, 198
Ptosis, 199
Pulse Examination, 200
Tremor Examination, 201
Visible Peristalsis Examination, 202
SECTION 3 Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Judgement
5 Generation of Differential Diagnosis, 204
Diff erential Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction, 210
Making a Diagnosis, 212
6 Long Cases, 213
Anaemia, 214
Generalized Lymphadenopathy, 222
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, 227
Hypertension, 232
Pleural Eff usion, 241
Pneumonia, 248
Lung Collapse/Fibrosis, 256
Hydropneumothorax, 260
Pneumothorax, 265
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, 272
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 282
Asthma, 291
Bronchiectasis, 304
Lung Abscess, 312
Rheumatic Fever, 316
Mitral Stenosis, 322
Mitral Regurgitation, 328
Aortic Stenosis, 332
Aortic Regurgitation, 336
Atrial Fibrillation, 341
Heart Failure, 347
Infective Endocarditis, 351
Pericardial Eff usion, 357
Cirrhosis of Liver, 363
Portal Hypertension, 374
Malaria, 381
Acute Viral Hepatitis, 388
Alcoholic Liver Disease, 395
Typhoid, 401
Human Immunodefi ciency Virus (HIV), 405
Acute Nephritis, 418
Nephrotic Syndrome, 426
Diabetes, 437
Rheumatoid Arthritis, 456
Obesity, 463
Stroke, 473
Hemiplegia, 488
Seizures, 497
Peripheral Neuropathy, 502
Transverse Myelitis, 510
Headache, 515
Paraplegia, 524
Quadriplegia, 539
7 Short Cases, 543
General Examination, 544
Goitre, 557
Cervical Lymphadenopathy, 560
Hepatomegaly, 563
Splenomegaly, 567
Higher Mental Function, 571
Cranial Nerve Palsy, 572
Bell’s Palsy, 577
Bulbar Palsy, 580
Pseudobulbar Palsy, 584
Ptosis, 586
Pupillary Abnormality, 589
Visual Disturbance, 591
Vision Impairment, 594
Ophthalmoplegia, 596
Facial Pain, 599
Speech Abnormality, 602
Aphasia, 604
Dysarthria, 606
Nystagmus, 609
Squint, 612
Vertigo, 614
Deafness, 617
Altered Taste Sensation, 619
Motor System Examination, 621
Tremors, 629
Sensory System, 631
Gait Abnormality, 633
Cerebellar Disorder, 636
8 Spotters, 638
Key Highlights of Spider Angioma, 639
Key Highlights of Palmar Erythema, 640
Key Highlights of Rheumatoid Arthritis, 641
Key Highlights of Scabies, 642
Key Highlights of Psoriasis, 643
Key Highlights of Leprosy, 644
Key Highlights of Scleroderma, 645
Key Highlights of SLE, 646
Key Highlights of Subcutaneous nodules, 647
Key Highlights of Pretibial Myxoedema, 648
Key Highlights of Exophthalmos, 649
Key Highlights of Cushing’s Syndrome, 650
SECTION 4 Diagnostic Tools and Interpretation
9 ECG, 652
Recording an Electrocardiogram, 653
Waveforms, Segments and Intervals, 657
Rate and Rhythm, 661
Heart Blocks, 669
Axis Determination, 670
Chamber Enlargement, 673
Bundle Branch Blocks, 675
Identifi cation of Infarction, 676
10 Chest X-Ray and Other X-Rays, 686
11 Charts, 718
Temperature Charts, 719
Charts on Glucose Tolerance Test, 722
Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation, 728
Pulmonary Function Test, 735
Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis, 740
Liver Function Tests, 742
Stool Reports, 743
Charts on Urine Examination, 745
Ascitic Fluid Report, 747
Pleural Fluid Analysis, 748
Bone Marrow Reports, 749
Complete Blood Count (CBC) Reports, 750
Blood Glucose Reports, 759
Th yroid Profi le Report, 761
Lipid Profi le Report, 763
Renal Function Tests, 765
SECTION 5 Therapeutics and Rational Drug Use
12 Drugs, 768
Drugs for Asthma, 769
Drugs for Hypertension, 771
Drugs for Heart Failure, 773
Drugs for Angina, 775
Drugs for Arrhythmia, 776
Drugs for Diabetes, 778
Drugs for Tuberculosis, 780
Drugs for Malaria, 781
Drugs for Parkinson’s disease, 783
Drugs for Epilepsy, 784
Drugs for Kala-Azar, 786
Drugs for Leprosy, 787
Diuretics, 788
Lipid Lowering Agents, 791
Anti-Snake Venom, 793
Drugs for Th yroid Disorders, 794
Drugs for Hypercalcaemia, 795
Drugs for Hypocalcaemia, 796
Fibrinolytic Agents, 797
Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) Inhibitors, 799
Highly Active Antiretroviral Th erapy, 800
Narcotics (Opioids), 802
Drugs for Obesity, 804
Drugs for Acid Peptic Disease Including Helicobacter
pylori, 806
Drugs for Diarrhoea due to Parasites, 808
Drugs for Diarrhoea due to
Bacteria and Viruses, 810
Drugs for Crohn’s Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis, 811
Drugs for Migraine (Abortive Th erapy), 812
Drugs for Migraine (Preventive Th erapy), 813
Drugs for Meningitis, 814
Drugs for Non-Haemorrhagic Stroke, 815
Acute Th erapy for Non-Haemorrhagic Stroke, 815
Indications for Anti-Platelet Agents
in Non-Haemorrhagic Stroke, 815
Role of Anti-Platelet Agents
in Non-Haemorrhagic Stroke, 815
Life-Saving Drugs, 816
Penicillin Prophylaxis in the Prevention of Rheumatic
Heart Disease, 818
SECTION 6 Clinical Instruments and Procedures
13 Clinical Instruments and Procedures, 820
Injections, 821
Blood Culture, 826
Blood Peripheral Smear Examination, 831
PPD (Mantoux) Test, 832
Nasogastric Tube Placement, 834
Lumbar Puncture, 837
Urinary Bladder Catheterization, 841
Bone Marrow Examination, 848
Procedure for Bone Marrow Aspiration, 849
Liver Biopsy Needle, 851
Pleural Fluid Aspiration, 853
Intercostal Tube Drainage, 856
Abdominal Paracentesis, 858
Endotracheal Intubation, 860
AMBU Bag, 862
Stethoscope, 863
Th ermometer, 864
Tuning Fork, 866
Refl ex Hammer, 867
Measuring Tape, 868
Tongue Depressor, 869
Metered-Dose Inhaler, 870
Peak Flow Metre, 872
Proctoscope, 873
Tests for Stool Occult Blood, 874
Capillary Blood Glucose Test, 875
Urinary Ketone Estimation With a Dipstick, 876
Fundus Examination, 877
- Edition: 1
- Latest edition
- Published: October 6, 2025
- Language: English