NURS 1145 - Health Assessment in Nursing

Credit Hours: 1.50

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

Course Outcome:

1.  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:

1. The student will define and describe evidence‐based practice associated with health assessment of the adult patient.
2. 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:

2. 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:

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

• 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.

1. Introduction to Physical Assessment
   1. Organization of data
   2. Medical vs. nursing models
   3. Inspection
   4. Palpation
   5. Percussion
   6. Auscultation
   7. Equipment
2. 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
3. Assessing the Skin, Hair, and Nails
   1. Subjective data
   2. Objective data
4. Assessing the GI System
   1. Subjective data
   2. Objective data
5. Assessing the Respiratory System
   1. Subjective data
   2. Objective data
6. Assessing the Cardiovascular System
   1. Subjective data
   2. Objective data
7. Assessing the Head, Neck, and Thyroid
   1. Subjective data
   2. Objective data
8. Assessing the Musculoskeletal System
   1. Subjective data
   2. Objective data
9. Assessing the Neurological System
   1. Subjective data
   2. Objective data
10. Assessing the Reproductive System/Breast Examination
    1. Subjective data
    2. Objective data
11. Assessing/Instructing Patients in Health Promotion Strategies
    1. Nursing diagnoses
12. Assessment of Sexuality
    1. Components of sexual history
    2. Sexuality throughout the life span
    3. Factors affecting sexuality