NUR405 Health Assessment for Professional Nursing

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)

Practice Experience Outcomes:

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
Final

Percent of Final Grade

25%
30%
20%
25%
1

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:

The Complete Health History

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:

Approach to the Clinical Setting Vital Signs, Pain and Nutrition

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:

Mental Health Assessment

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
and formulate plan of care
2

(PE-SLO 1, 3)

Week 6:

Physical Examination III

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:

Health Assessment in Special Populations

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:

Application to Practice: Putting it all Together

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.

*SLO = student learning outcome

T-SLO = theoretical component
PE-SLO = practice experience component
The following table outlines the academic effort required by students to be successful in this course. While the times in
the table are approximate, it is presented to help students with their time management. Please note, depending on the
student's background knowledge and experience of the course subject and an individual student's academic capabilities,
these times will vary. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to your instructor or student advisor.
Week

Type of Activity
Online

1
Preparation

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions

Estimated Hours Required

0.8
3.0
0.0
2.8
2.0
3

Week

Type of Activity
Online

2
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

3
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

4
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

5
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity

Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

0.0
4.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.5
3.0
0.0
3.4
2.0
0.0
6.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.6
3.0
0.0
6.9
2.0
0.0
4.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.5
3.0
0.0
6.9
2.0
0.0
4.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.6
3.0
0.0
5.6
2.0
0.0
4.0

Activity

Estimated Hours Required

4

Online
6
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

7
Preparation

Week

Type of Activity
Online

8
Preparation

Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

0.6
3.0
0.0
8.8
2.0
0.0
6.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.5
3.0
0.0
1.7
2.0
0.0
4.0

Activity
Readings/Lectures
Discussions
Assignments
Readings
Discussions
Assignments
Clinical/Lab Hours

Estimated Hours Required

0.8
3.0
0.0
0.9
2.0
0.0
12.0

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