Replaced Fall 2012
Fall 2010
Chabot College
Course Outline for Nursing 88L
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
Catalog Description
88L Physical Assessment
½ - 1 unit
Methodologies employed in physical assessment in the clinical setting. Focus is on physical assessment
techniques and advanced techniques utilized in assessing the status of neurological cardiac, and
peripheral vascular, thoracic, musculoskeletal, integumentary, and abdominal systems. Laboratory and
diagnostic tests (such as techniques of respiratory arterial blood gas analyses, pulse oximetry, and basic
cardiac dysrhythmia interpretation). Health data base interviewing. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion
of Nursing 68 and Microbiology 1 (or equivalent) and satisfactory completion of (or concurrent enrollment
in) Nursing 69 and Nursing 70, possession of a valid California LVN license, or satisfactory completion of
all required nursing courses in the first year of the nursing curriculum, and concurrent enrollment in the
second semester of the nursing program and Nursing 68, or possession of a valid California RN license.
½ - 3 hours laboratory. [Typical contact hours: 8.75 - 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course, the student should be able to:
1. apply concepts of clinical pharmacology in the care of clients;
2. apply principles of human anatomy and physiology and microbiology in the care of clients;
3. complete an assessment of the thorax, skin, abdomen, oral cavity, and peripheral vascular
system, including verbalizing normal physiological changes across the life span;
4. complete a post-partum assessment of a mother;
5. complete a newborn assessment;
6. apply the components of the nursing process;
7. develop a nursing diagnosis based on physical assessment;
8. apply the principles of aseptic technique in the care of a patient;
9. identify principles involved in the care of the immediate post-operative patient;
10. utilize therapeutic communication in groups and with individuals;
11. verbalize components of “-ostomy” care;
12. incorporate principles and methods of teaching involved in the care of the patient in acute
and chronic illness;
13. demonstrate competency in the insertion of a nasogastric tube and care for a patient with a
nasogastric tube;
14. list the assessments and care required for patients with portable suction devices.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. correctly develop a problem list through utilization of the health data base in an interviewing
scenario;
2. perform a breast examination correctly;
3. perform a testicular examination correctly;
4. perform a cardiac assessment in the appropriate sequence;
5. perform a peripheral vascular assessment in the appropriate sequence;
6. perform an ophthalmic examination;
7. perform an abdominal examination correctly;
8. perform a thoracic assessment correctly;
9. perform a neurological assessment in the appropriate sequence;
10. interpret basic cardiac dysrhythmias correctly;
11. correctly explain standard principles involved in the treatment of basic cardiac dysrhythmias;
12. correctly interpret arterial blood gas analysis;
13. correctly interpret pulse oximetry results through application of the principles of the
oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve.
Chabot College
Course Outline for Nursing 88L, page 2
Fall 2010
Course Content:
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Health data base interviewing
Problem list development
Breast examination
Testicular examination
Diagnostic procedures for suspected breast and testicular pathologies
Cardiac assessment
Cardiac case analysis
Basic cardiac dysrhythmias
Standard dysrhythmia treatment
Ophthalmic examination
Neurological assessment
Neurological case analysis
Advanced techniques of thoracic, abdominal, and peripheral vascular assessment
Respiratory arterial blood gases and pulse oximetry analysis
Methods of Presentation:
1. Seminar discussions
2. Demonstration
3. Audio-visual aids
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Students:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Case study assignments
1) Cardiac patient
2) Patient with respiratory failure
b. Class projects
1) Draw chest components on a T-shirt
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Return demonstration
b. Participation in discussions
c. Written tests/assessments including a final examination
Textbook(s) (typical):
Physical Assessment, Jarvis, 6th ed., Mosby, 2008
Special Student Materials:
Stethoscope
Watch with sweep second hand
Lab coat