NURS 1145 - Health Assessment in Nursing

Credit Hours: 1.50

Course Objectives: 

1. Describe causes of normal findings. 
2. Describe causes of abnormal findings. 
3. Analyze adult health assessment data to differentiate normal and abnormal findings using evidence-based frameworks. 

Course Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to communicate assessment findings effectively using professional terminology and documentation standards. 

Course Objectives: 

1. Apply professional terminology and documentation standards to report assessment findings accurately in verbal format. 
2. Apply professional terminology and documentation standards to report assessment findings accurately in written format. 

Course Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to integrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into health assessment findings. 

Course Objectives: 

1. Interpret anatomic and physiologic health assessment findings. 
2. Interpret health assessment findings in relation to relevant anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. 

Course Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe safe and comprehensive health assessment skills using appropriate techniques for the adult and older adult client. 

Course Objectives: 

1. Identify normal and abnormal assessment findings of the adult. 
2. Identify normal and abnormal assessment findings of the older adult. 
3. Describe appropriate assessment techniques that ensure safety for adult and older adult clients. 

Course Outcome 5: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify evidence-based health promotion strategies for each body system. 

Course Objectives: 

1. Identify primary health promotion strategies for each body system. 
2. Identify secondary primary health promotion strategies for each body system. 
3. Identify tertiary primary health promotion strategies for each body system.

• 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