Health Assessment I& II syllabus and course outline

Health Assessment-I&II HEC Curriculum 

Health Assessment I,II BScN 2nd Year Syllabus Outline and Course HEC, UHS,PNC. With Description and Topics. 

Health Assessment 

    Course Description: An introduction to the content and skills needed to assess the basic health status of individuals of varying ages. These skills can be applied to nursing care in a wide variety of clinical settings. This course emphasizes history taking and physical examination skills. 

Course Objectives

By the completion of Year II, learners will be able to: 

1. Systematically assess the health status of an individual by obtaining a complete health history using interviewing skills appropriately. 

2. Utilize proper techniques of observation and physical examination in assessing various body systems. 

3. Differentiate normal from abnormal findings. 

4. Record findings in an appropriate manner. 

5. Demonstrate an awareness of the need to incorporate health assessment as part of their general nursing practice skills. 

6. Apply knowledge of growth & development, anatomy, physiology, & psychosocial skills in assessment & analysis of data collected. 

Teaching/Learning Strategies: Pre readings, experiential learning, videotaping, role playing, lecture/discussion, quizzes, demonstration, movies & lab practice. 

Evaluation Criteria

Midterm 30% 

Performance Exam 30% 

Final Exam 40% Total 100%

Assessment I

Topics

UNIT I: Introduction to Health Assessment Concepts:Discuss the need for health assessment in general nursing practice+Explain the concepts of health, assessment, data collection, and diagnosis.

Identify types of health assessments+Document health assessment data using a problem oriented approach.

UNIT II: Interviewing Skills and Health History:Explain the purpose, process & principles of interviewing.

Describe the content and format used to obtain a health history+Discuss the process of investigating positive findings during the health history.

Practice obtaining and recording a client health history+Practice utilizing therapeutic skills with a learner’s partner.

Identify strengths and weaknesses via observation of a videotaped interaction and self/peer analysis.

Interview patient in clinical and collect feedback from colleagues and faculty about use of therapeutic communication.

UNIT III: Introduction to Physical Examination (Pe) and the General Survey:Identify the general principles of conducting an examination.

Identify the equipment needed to perform a physical examination.+Describe the appropriate use & technique of inspection, palpation, percussion & auscultation.

Discuss the procedure & sequence for performing a general assessment of a client+Discuss the guidelines for documenting physical examination.

Document the PE findings of patients in PE documentation sheet on an ongoing basis.

UNIT IV: Assessment of the Skin, Head & Neck:Describe the component of health history that should be elicited during the assessment of skin, head & neck

Describe specific assessments to be made during the physical examination of the above systems.

Document findings+Describe age related changes in the above systems & differences in assessment findings.

UNIT V: Assessment of Nose, Mouth & Pharynx:Describe the component of health history that should be elicited during the assessment of nose, mouth and pharynx.

Identify the structural landmarks of the nose, mouth and pharynx+Describe specific assessments to be made during the physical examination of the above systems+Document findings.

UNIT VI: Assessment of the Abdomen, Anus & Rectum:Discuss the pertinent health history questions necessary to perform the assessment of Abdomen, Anus and Rectum+Describe the specific assessment to be made during the physical examination of the abdomen.

Discuss components of a rectal examination+Document findings+List the changes in abdomen that are characteristics of aging process.

UNIT VII: Assessment of the Breast, Axilla & Genitalia:Discuss the history questions pertaining to male and female breast and Genitalia assessment+Perform a breast examination including axillary nodes and interpret findings.

Discuss components of a genital exam on a male or female+Review components of a comprehensive reproductive history.

Document findings+List the changes in breast, male & female genitalia that are characteristics of aging process

 Health Assessment II 

    Course Description: An introduction to the content and skills needed to assess the basic health status of individuals of varying ages. These skills can be applied to nursing care in a wide variety of clinical settings. This course emphasizes history taking and physical examination skills.

Course Objectives

By the completion of this course learners will be able to: 

1. Systematically assess the health status of an individual by obtaining a complete health history using interviewing skills appropriately. 

2. Utilize proper techniques of observation and physical examination in assessing various body systems. 

3. Differentiate normal from abnormal findings. 

4. Record findings in an appropriate manner. 

5. Demonstrate an awareness of the need to incorporate health assessment as part of their general nursing practice skills. 

6. Apply knowledge of growth & development, anatomy, physiology, & psychosocial skills in assessment & analysis of data collected. 

Teaching/Learning Strategies 

Pre readings, experiential learning, videotaping, role playing, lecture/discussion, quizzes, demonstration, movies & lab practice. 

Evaluation Criteria

Midterm 30% Performance Exam 30% Final Exam 40% Total 100%

Assessment II

Topics

UNIT I: Assessment of the Peripheral Vascular and Musculoskeletal Systems :Discuss the patient health history question necessary to perform the assessment of Peripheral Vascular System (PVS) and Musculoskeletal System (MS) system.

Discuss critical observations to assess PVS.

Assess musculoskeletal functions including muscles strength, symmetry, size, contour, ROM and its characteristics+Document findings.

List the changes in the given systems that are characteristics of aging process.

UNIT II: Assessment of the Mental Status and Sensory Neuro System:Perform mental status examination of a client.

Assess cranial nerve, sensory, sense of proprioception and cerebellar functions and deep tendon reflexes.+Document findings.

List the changes in the nervous system that are characteristics of the aging process.

UNIT III: Assessment of Cardio Vascular System:Describe the components of health history that should be elicited during the assessment of cardiovascular system.

Identify the landmarks of the chest.

Describe the following:Pulse rate, rhythm and pulsation characteristics+PMI+Heart sounds+Discuss systolic and diastolic murmurs

Assess the cardiovascular system systematically.

Document findings:List the changes in cardiovascular system that is characteristics of aging process.

UNIT IV: Assessment of Thorax and Lungs:Describe the components of health history that should be elicited during assessment of respiratory system.

Describe the following:Chest contour and symmetry+Respiratory rate and pattern

Tactile fremitus+Chest expansion+Density of lung fields

Diaphragmatic excursion+Auscultated lung sounds

Assess the respiratory system including inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation+Document findings+List the changes in respiratory system that are characteristics of aging process.

UNIT V: Assessment of the Eyes, & Ears:Identify the component of health history necessary for the examination of eye & ear.

Describe the following:Eye structure and position+Upper and lower eyelids

Gross visual perception+Characteristics of the cornea, sclera, pupil, and lens fundi.

Peripheral fields +Color, shape, and location of auricle+External ear canal and tympanic membrane+Gross hearing

Perform the examination of eye and ear of a healthy patient.+Document findings.+List the changes in eye and ear that are characteristics of aging process.

UNIT VI: Assessment of an Elderly Client:Describe the variations in history taking for an elderly client.

Differentiate health assessment variations for elderly clients+Identify any differing examination techniques or skills for elderly client

UNIT VII: Assessment of Pediatric Client:Describe the component of a thorough pediatric history, including differences for developmental levels+Differentiate health assessment norms for infants, and children.

Identify common examination techniques/skills for pediatric health assessment.

Book References

1. Bicklay, L. S. (1999). Bates’ guide to physical examination and history taking (7th ed).Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. 

2. Cox, C. H. (1997). Clinical applications of nursing diagnosis (3rd ed). 

3. DeGowin, R. L., & Brown, D. D. (2000). Degowin’s diagnostic examination (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.