Master Resource Outline

Credits: 3 credits (2 lecture 1 College lab)      

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Pre-requisites: BIOH 201, 211          

Co-requisite: NRSG 328 or consent of instructor

Course Description 

This course is designed to teach the student a health-oriented approach to nursing assessments. 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 on diverse adult patients. Data collection through comprehensive history taking and physical assessment is emphasized.  Findings will be professionally communicated using verbal, written and electronic methods.

Catalog Course Description: This course uses a health-oriented approach to acquire the comprehensive skills of history taking and physical assessment needed to conduct an adult nursing assessment and professionally communicate the findings using verbal, written and electronic methods.

Course Objectives

  1. Examine various techniques used in conducting health assessments on adult clients.
  2. Identify the differences between normal and abnormal health assessment findings in adult clients.
  3. Describe assessment findings accurately in verbal, written, and electronic formats.

Course Learning Outcomes: The student will:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive and culturally relevant health history on an adult client.
  2. Perform a systematic and holistic health assessment of an adult client.
  3. Demonstrate effective communication skills when conveying assessment findings verbally and in writing.

AANC Competencies

This course introduces:

2.1 Engage with the individual in establishing a caring relationship.

2.3 Perform an assessment.

6.1 Communicate in a manner that supports a partnership approach to care delivery.

8.1 Describe information and communication technology tools used in the care of patients, communities, and populations.

AANC Threads

  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Diversity
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Communication
  • Ethics
  • Clinical Judgement
  • Mental Health

Required Content and Concepts 

  1. Health History
    1. Interviewing strategies for diverse adult populations
    2. Holistic and Inclusive Health history
    3. Concepts of privacy and confidentiality
  2. History and Physical Assessment Areas to be Assessed:
    1. General survey
    2. Integument
    3. HEENT
    4. Breasts and axillae
    5. Respiratory
    6. Cardiac
    7. Peripheral vascular
    8. Abdominal
    9. Neurological
    10. Mental status
    11. Genitourinary
  3. Basic nutritional assessment
  4. Introduction to Spiritual Assessment
  5. Introduction to Cultural Assessment
  6. Introduction to Mental Health Assessment
  7. Introduction to Environmental health risk assessment
  8. Professional communication of assessment findings
    1. Written communication and charting.
    2. Electronic communication and charting
    3. Professional verbal communication of findings.

Learning Activities

  • Class discussions
  • College laboratory experiences
  • Viewing assessment DVDs
  • Professional communication of assessment findings utilizing written, verbal and electronic modalities.
  • Clinical practice utilizing community-based settings as available
  • Simulation and case studies.