Health Assessment

Catalog description

This course provides students the foundational skills to perform a thorough and accurate health assessment of clients across the lifespan. Effective communication skills necessary for establishing a therapeutic relationship with clients and/or family members are introduced, including the concepts of cultural sensitivity and health literacy for obtaining a comprehensive health history. Physical exam techniques are introduced in both the laboratory and clinical settings. Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns are used as a framework to organize objective and subjective data. Students use the nursing process to evaluate and prioritize findings from the history and physical assessment and explore potential client goals, reflecting on how individual beliefs and values could influence these goals. Differentiation of normal and abnormal lab values and diagnostic test results is emphasized. Students will apply their knowledge and skills during hands-on opportunities with clients and develop a behavioral change project to promote their own well-being.