Health Assessment

Catalog description

This course examines the principles and techniques of nursing assessment focusing on patient history taking, interview and communication techniques and techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. Application of assessment findings to clinical decision making is addressed. The role of the nurse in obtaining comprehensive health assessment, including attributes of physical, psychosocial, developmental, cultural and spiritual functioning is discussed. Participants learn to identify teaching and learning needs from a comprehensive assessment and health history. The laboratory component is designed to promote cognitive and psychomotor comprehensive assessment skills. Practice of comprehensive assessment techniques occurs through experiential learning.