MASTER RESOURCE OUTLINE

Credits: 4 credits (2 lecture; 2 college laboratory) 

Semesters Offered: F, Sp, Su 

Pre-requisites: BIOH 201, 211 

Corequisite: NRSG225 or consent of instructor 

Course Description

This course is designed to teach the student a health oriented approach to nursing assessment of clients across the life span. The primary focus of the course is on normal health assessment findings, with recognition of abnormal variations. The course emphasizes development of the skills needed to perform a comprehensive health assessment of children, adults, and the older adult. Data collection through comprehensive history taking and physical assessment is emphasized.  Utilization of assessment findings in clinical decision making is discussed throughout the course. 

Course Objectives:  The student will: 

  1. Complete a comprehensive health history from clients across the life span. (T 1) 
  2. Perform a systematic health assessment on clients across the life span.(T1) (F1,3,5, 12) 
  3. Communicate assessment findings verbally and in writing.(T7,8) (F5)  
  4. Demonstrate health assessment skills appropriate for the developmental level of children,adultsand theolder adult.(T7) (F 9, 10, 12) 
  5. Analyze information obtained from the health assessment for clinical decisionmaking.(T2) (F2, 3, 12) 
  6. Identify legal/ethical issues as they relate to the professional nurse'srole in health assessment of clients across the life span.(T4, 11) (F 5)
  7. Demonstrate professional behavior in client, peer, and faculty relationships. (T 4) (F5 ,7, 11) 
  8. Apply principles ofevidence basednursing practice in the assessment of clients across the life span.(T 2) (F3, 4, 7) 
  9. Students will demonstrate behaviors that are congruent with theMSU Code of Conduct, CON Student Handbook,ANA Code of Ethics, Scope and Standards of Practice, and Social Policy Statements in all class related interactions.(F3-11; T3-6, 8-11) 

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be able to communicate assessment findings clearly and effectively in verbal and written format. 
  2. Students will demonstrate assessment techniques thoroughly and accurately and gather both subjective and objective data for clients across the lifespan.   
  3. Students will be able to identify the differences between normal and abnormal health assessment findings for clients across the lifespan.   

Recommended Content and Concepts

  1. Health History 
  2. Interviewing strategies 
  3. Health history components 
  4. Concepts of privacy and confidentiality 
  5. Overview of the history and physical assessment 
  6. Developmental considerations of the child, adult, aging adult 
  7. Functional Patterns Assessment 
  8. History of health assessment and how health assessment is utilized by professional nurses 
  9. Basic nutritional assessment 
  10. Introduction to Spiritual Assessment 
  11. Introduction to Cultural Assessment 
  12. Introduction to Environmental health risk assessment 
  13. History and Physical Assessment Areas to be Assessed: 
  14. General survey 
  15. Integument 
  16. HEENT 
  17. Breasts and axillae 
  18. Respiratory 
  19. Cardiac 
  20. Peripheral vascular 
  21. Abdominal 
  22. Neurological 
  23. Mental status 
  24. Genitourinary 
  25. Special populations: 
  26. Pediatric assessment 
  27. Geriatric assessment 
  28. Assessment of the pregnant client 
  29. Health promotion topic/presentation 

Suggested StudentLearning Activities

  • Class discussions  
  • Collegelaboratory experiences  
  • Viewing assessment DVDs  
  • Written assignments (history and assessment findings and review of systems) 
  • Clinical practice utilizing community based settings as available 
  • Simulation and case studies. 
  • Health promotion assignment 

  

Approved by UAAC: April 20, 2020  

Approved by Faculty: May 11, 2020