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Course Description:
This course builds on the practical knowledge many RNs possess due to employment in healthcare agencies. The course
provides a holistic approach to health assessment for the adult client with adaptations across the life span. Theories and
competencies are needed to elicit a thorough and accurate assessment of the client under various health and wellness
conditions. The student will apply concepts of health assessment focusing on a general systems approach and will
complete 45 hour of the Evolve clinical experience. Using a simulated patient encounter for clinical learning, students
will conduct a general health assessment and formulate an individualized care plan.
Course Student Learning Outcomes
Theoretical Outcomes:
Describe health assessment findings as set forth in the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice including
communicating, making data accessible, and recording. (PO 1)*
Integrate key concepts and processes in the systems approach to health assessment. (PO 4)
Correlate critical thinking and decision-making approaches with assessment findings in a variety of normal and
abnormal physical assessment findings. (PO 4)
Apply the concepts of holistic health assessment for selected clients across the lifespan, including
developmental considerations. (PO 5, 6)
Apply health assessment through cognitive, problem-solving, psychomotor, affective, interpersonal and ethical
skills. (PO 4)
Demonstrate beginning proficiency in performing expanded physical assessments of body regions/systems.
(PO 3, 6)
*PO = program outcome
Course Credits: 3 credits: 2 credits didactic; 1 credit practice experience (encompasses 45 clock hours)
Course Textbook: Jarvis, Carolyn. (2015). Physical examination & health assessment. (7 ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier-Mosby
ISBN: 9781455728107
Evaluation Methodologies: The following methodologies are utilized in this course.
threaded discussion question postings
assessments based on case studies
midterm and final exams
completion of physical assessment
Rubrics are utilized to grade each of these items and are found in the weekly course folders. A course grade is
determined based on the percentage of points as designated in the following chart.
Assessment
Discussions
Assessments
Midterm
ePortfolio Assignments
Final
Below is an at-a-glance look at the weekly discussion and assignment topics. In each Getting Started module within
the course, you will find details about your weekly readings, lectures, supplemental resources, discussions and
assignment instructions, and rubrics.
TOPICAL OUTLINE BY WEEK
Week 1:
Discussion:
Discuss the role of the professional nurse in assessment and the impact it has on clinical judgment.
Use a patient encounter from your experience as an example. (T-SLO 1)*
Assignment:
Deconstruct a Health Interview and History; evaluate it for inclusive elements; reconstruct with all
elements present (PE-SLO 2)*
Week 2:
Discussion:
Read the short case history in the discussion post for the week and then discuss the impact of
economic factors and living situation on food choices; calculate the patients body mass index and
identify the calories per day that the patient needs to maintain current weight. What lab studies
would assist you in determining this patients nutritional status? (T-SLO 1)
Assignment:
Review the two case studies for pain and complete the assessment for pain analyze and interpret
the findings in the first case study within a cultural framework for pain. (PE-SLO 1, 3)
Week 3:
Discussion:
Utilize Eriksons Stages of Development and compare the components of the mental health exam on
a geriatric patient with components of a mental health exam on an adolescent, a middle aged adult
and a disabled veteran. (T-SLO 3)
Assignment:
Complete psychosocial and psychological assessment and formulate plan of care using the case study
in chapter 5.(PE-SLO 1, 3)
Week 4:
Physical Examination I
Discussion:
Review the case history in the discussion post for the week and identify what specific questions would
assist you in determining the cause of the headache and how would you alter the physical exam given
the patients age? (T-SLO 2)
Assignment:
Using the case study in chapter 13, complete HEENT assessment and interpret findings (PE-SLO 1, 3)
Week 5:
Physical Examination II
Discussion:
Review the case history in the discussion post for the week and determine the assessment questions
that would clarify the fatigue, determine the assessments necessary and identify the most likely
cause of fatigue for this patient. (T-SLO 2)
Assignment:
Using the case study in chapter 19, complete the cardiorespiratory, breast and lymphatic assessment
2
Week 6:
Discussion:
Review the case history in the discussion post for the week and identify the assessments needed,
include the questions to ask to elicit the correct information. What do you suspect is the most
probably cause of the abdominal pain? (T-SLO 2)
Assignment:
Using the case studies in chapters 22 and 23, complete the assessments, analyze and interpret the
findings and develop a plan of care. (PE-SLO 1, 3)
Week 7:
Discussion:
Based on the readings for this week, identify a barrier you have encountered in completing an
assessment and identify how you overcame the barrier. (T-SLO 2, 3)
Assignment:
Using the case study in chapter 25, complete male and female genitourinary assessment and
formulate plan of care (PE-SLO 1, 3)
Week 8:
Discussion:
What is your plan for integrating a more in-depth assessment for your patients? What areas of
assessment have you improved based on this course? (T-SLO 2, 3)
Assignment:
Watch the video on pediatric assessment and complete the questions regarding the assessment. (PESLO 1)
Complete head to toe physical assessment under observation by a masters prepared nurse (PE-SLO
1, 2, 3)
ePortfolio Assignments: Create 2-3 PowerPoint slides that address the Program Outcome for the
course. Upload slides and required artifacts to ePortfolio.
Type of Activity
Online
Preparation
Activity
Readings/Lectures
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Readings
Week
Type of Activity
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2
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3
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4
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Online
5
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Clinical/Lab Hours
2.0
0.0
4.0
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Type of Activity
Online
6
Preparation
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Type of Activity
Online
7
Preparation
Week
Type of Activity
Online
8
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