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Health Assessment-I&II HEC Curriculum 

Health Assessment I& II syllabus and course outline


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.