Health Assessment

Catalog description

Designed to broaden the student's knowledge and skills in health assessment and physical examination across the lifespan. NURS 251 Health Assessment (3) NURS 251 is designed to broaden the student's knowledge and skills in health assessment. The course enables the student to learn the methods of interviewing patients for completing a health history and the tools and techniques necessary to conduct a physical examination. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to identify psychosocial, cultural and developmental factors affecting the health assessment process; demonstrate appropriate communication and interviewing techniques (including the use of new technology) with clients of all ages to facilitate the health assessment; demonstrate the ability to obtain a holistic, systematic and comprehensive health history and assessment; promote an environment of safety and caring to maximize client care outcomes; participate in education and activities that would promote cultural competency in nursing assessment; document the health history and current health status and the physical exam according to accepted standards; demonstrate competency in the use of inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation when performing physical examination; demonstrate the ability to recognize and interpret signs of normal and abnormal health assessment findings; demonstrate critical thinking in the analysis of physical findings; demonstrate the ability to assess risk and promote security and safety in the clinical environment; recognize and document health assessment variations in clients throughout the life span. Teaching strategies include lecture, discussion, demonstration, hands-on practice, audiovisuals, simulation laboratory experiences. NURS 251 is the first required clinical course; is offered each fall semester; and is limited to nursing students. Clinical experience with sections of 14 students is conducted in the Simulation Laboratory where students receive the individualized attention to facilitate learning the techniques of physical assessment. Annual enrollment is approximately 120 students who must successfully complete the course to progress in the nursing program.