NURS 1145 - Health Assessment in Nursing

Credit Hours: 1.50

Prerequisites: Admission into the Nursing Program; ENGL 1180 or ENGL 1210, BIOL 2400 or BIOL 2730, BIOL 1400, BIOL 2710, and HHSC 1040 all with grade C or better

Corequisites: NURS 1155, NURS 1165, and NURS 1175

(replaces but does not equate to NURS 1510)

This theory course presents a general overview of the health assessment process in nursing. Topics include evidence‑based, patient‑centered adult physical assessment techniques, critical thinking skills in identifying assessment norms and variances, lifespan and cultural/gender variations, communication techniques in collecting subjective data systematically, and components of a sexual assessment as it relates to sexuality throughout the lifespan.

Billable Contact Hours: 1.5

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Transfer Possibilities
Michigan Transfer Network (MiTransfer) - Utilize this website to easily search how your credits transfer to colleges and universities.

OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES
Program Outcome/Student Learning Outcome:

1. Analyze and apply the critical components of evidence-based nursing practice.

Course Outcome:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to define evidence‐based practice and describe examples that apply to the health assessment of selected patients.

Course Objectives:

The student will define and describe evidence‐based practice associated with health assessment of the adult patient.
The student will define and describe the skills and techniques required to complete a health assessment of the adult patient.

Program Outcome/Student Learning Outcome:

2. Recognize quality improvement strategies as an integral component of nursing practice.

Course Outcome:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify how nursing and other health professions are part of a system that affects patient and family outcomes.

Course Objectives:

The student will describe the roles of health professionals in the assessment process.
The student will recognize how efficient, accurate nursing assessment impacts quality care of the patient.

COMMON DEGREE OUTCOMES (CDO)
• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

CDO marked YES apply to this course:
Communication: YES
Critical Thinking: YES
Scientific Literacy: YES

COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE

Introduction to Physical Assessment
1. Organization of data
2. Medical vs. nursing models
3. Inspection
4. Palpation
5. Percussion
6. Auscultation
7. Equipment
Review of the Assessment Process
1. Purpose
2. Comparison of nursing and medical assessments; principles of caring
3. Database
4. Data sources
5. Equipment
6. Communication techniques
7. Life‐span and cultural considerations
Assessing the Skin, Hair, and Nails
1. Subjective data
2. Objective data
Assessing the GI System
1. Subjective data
2. Objective data
Assessing the Respiratory System
1. Subjective data
2. Objective data
Assessing the Cardiovascular System
1. Subjective data
2. Objective data
Assessing the Head, Neck, and Thyroid
1. Subjective data
2. Objective data
Assessing the Musculoskeletal System
1. Subjective data
2. Objective data
Assessing the Neurological System
1. Subjective data
2. Objective data
Assessing the Reproductive System/Breast Examination
1. Subjective data
2. Objective data
Assessing/Instructing Patients in Health Promotion Strategies
1. Nursing diagnoses
Assessment of Sexuality
1. Components of sexual history
2. Sexuality throughout the life span
3. Factors affecting sexuality

Primary Faculty
Sikorski, Catherine
Secondary Faculty

Associate Dean
Shaw, Andrea
Dean
Mirijanian, Narine

Official Course Syllabus - Macomb Community College, 14500 E 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088