NURS 202, Client Assessment
Spring 2015
Schedule Numbers: 22232, 22233, 22234, 22235, 22236
COURSE INFORMATION
Class Day: Tuesday
Class Time: 12:05 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Class Location: AH 2108
Laboratory Day & Time: varies by schedule number
Laboratory Location: AH2122
Professor: S. Hadley, Ph.D., APRN, GNP, ANP-BC
(Course Coordinator)
Contact Information: 619-594-2770 (office)
shadley@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hours: by appointment
Office Hours Location: AH 3160
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Course Overview
DESCRIPTION FROM THE OFFICIAL COURSE CATALOG
Determining and measuring variables relevant to assessment of psychosocial and physical functioning.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PURPOSE AND COURSE CONTENT
This course focuses on the assessment phase of the nursing process. Students develop a beginning
awareness of factors that influence health. This course emphasizes age-specific health promotion
recommendations as supported by clinical practice guidelines and the role of the nurse in primary,
secondary and tertiary prevention.. Students gain experience in obtaining health histories, performing
nutritional assessment and comprehensive physical assessments.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course the student will:
1.
initiate the assessment phase of the nursing process by the accurate collection of subjective and
objective data.
2.
use appropriate interviewing techniques to obtain accurate and complete health histories.
3.
identify family and genetic history, lifestyle factors and other risk factors that increase risk for
disease and disability.
4.
formulate a list of client problems and risk factors based on holistic health assessment.
5.
articulate the role of the nurse in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
6.
use evidenced based clinical practice guidelines to identify age specific health promotion
recommendations.
7.
perform a nutritional analysis using nationally defined recommendations for weight and nutrient
intake.
8.
perform a complete and systematic physical exam using the techniques of inspection, palpation,
percussion and auscultation.
9.
demonstrate the skillful use of examination equipment in the performance of the physical exam.
10.
apply appropriate techniques for assessing and monitoring vital signs. Apply knowledge of
anatomy and physiology to the assessment
of body systems (e.g., skin, hair, nails, head/neck, eye, ear, nose, mouth, throat, lymphatics,
thorax/lungs, heart, peripheral vascular, breast, abdomen, male/female genitalia, urinary, and
neuromuscular systems).
12.
distinguish between normal and abnormal assessment findings.
13.
identify assessment findings that reflect normal developmental changes and changes of aging.
14.
identify assessment findings that are influenced by ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic status.
15.
document assessment findings in an accurate, concise and organized way.
REAL LIFE RELEVANCE
The student will learn to apply assessment skills in the care of the client.
RELATION TO OTHER COURSES
The student will begin to relate liberal educational experiences to core competencies in professional
nursing. In the context of concurrent enrollment in other nursing courses, the student will begin to
demonstrate critical thinking, communication, assessment and technical skills in the provision of nursing
care.
Enrollment Information
PREREQUISITES
Admission to the Nursing Program and concurrent registration in NURS 201.
ADDING/DROPPING PROCEDURES
See the University policy for add/drop and withdrawal procedures.
Course Materials
All course materials (e.g., lecture notes, on-line lectures, course documents) are accessible via the course
Blackboard site.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Jarvis, C. (2012). Physical examination and health assessment (6th ed.). Philadelphia:
W. B. Saunders.
Jarvis, C. (2012). Student laboratory manual for physical examination and health
assessment (6th ed.). Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.
Important: the lab manual must be new. Used, marked copies will NOT be acceptable.
OPTIONAL TEXTS
Jarvis, C. (2012). Pocket companion for physical examination and health assessment (6th ed.).
Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.
WEBSITES
Nutrition information
http://caloriecount.about.com
http://calorieking.com
Physical Assessment
http://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed
Heart Sounds
http://depts.washington.edu/physdx/heart.html/tech
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES
Stethoscope, adult size with diaphragm and bell
Metric ruler
Watch with second hand
Examination gown
Sports bra or bathing suit for women
Course Structure and Conduct
TEACHING METHODS
Lecture: The lectures in this course will be offered using a hybrid format. Some lectures will be deliverd
on-line using the Captivate software and some lectures will be offered in-class. Most in-class lectures will
also be available on-line.
Laboratory: Weekly laboratory sessions allow for the practical application of knowledge and skills. Inlaboratory discussions, demonstrations, return demonstrations and documentation involve students in
active learning and application of knowledge. A Midterm Performance Evaluation (MPE) and Final
Performance Evaluation (FPE) are required so that the student can demonstrate competency in skill
acquisition. A Nutritional Self-Assessment is an additional learning activity.
Course Assessment and Grading
CRITERIA FOR SUCCESFUL COUSE COMPLETION
1. Achieve 174 points out of 240 exam points (73%). Extra credit is NOT an option for failure to achieve
the minimum points.
2. Demonstrate proficiency on the Midterm Performance Evaluation (MPE) and Final
Performance Evaluation (FPE).
• Satisfactory achievement is determined by performing ≥ 85% of the physical exam
techniques correctly.
• The MPE and FPE may be repeated one time for failure to achieve 85%.
• Failure to achieve an 85% by the second attempt will preclude successful course completion
and result in a course grade of C- or below. A grade lower than C- will be given if total points
fall into the D+ to F range (see grading scale below)
• The MPE and FPE are evaluated on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis and will not be
calculated in the final grade.
3. Demonstrate satisfactory performance in laboratory activities as noted below:
• document weekly assessment data in the laboratory manual
• accurately complete the nutrition self-assessment
• prepare for and participate in the simulation laboratory
• gain proficiency in health assessments/physical exams
One course grade will be given for the NURS 202 lecture and lab.
GRADE DETERMINATION
• The final course grade will be determined by the cumulative points achieved on four exams.
Exam 1: 50 questions
Exam 2: 50 questions
Exam 3: 50 questions
Final Exam: 90 questions
GRADING SCALE
Final grades will be determined using the following grading scale:
POINTS
PERCENT
GRADE
222-240
93-100%
A
215-221
90-92%
A-
208-214
87-89%
B+
198-207
83-86%
B
191-197
80-82%
B-
184-190
77-79%
C+
174-183
73-76%
C
167-173
70-72%
C-
160-166
67-69%
D+
150-159
63-66%
D
143-149
60-62%
D-
< 143
< 60%
F
Other Course Policies
ATTEDANCE POLICY
Attendance is required for all laboratory sessions except for serious or extenuating circumstances.
Students are entering a professional environment where full participation is essential to the acquisition of
knowledge and skills required for safe and effective nursing practice.
Exams may not be taken earlier or later than the scheduled date. No provision is made for examinations
that are missed because of unexcused absences. An unexcused absence will result in a grade of F (0%)
for the exam. In order to avoid an unexcused absence, the course coordinator must be notified prior to the
beginning of the exam. For an absence to be excused, the student must provide appropriate written
documentation justifying the absence.
PREPARATION FOR THE CLINICAL LABORATORY
Maximizing the clinical laboratory experience requires that the student be prepared for each laboratory
session. The student should complete the required readings and view the on-line lectures on Blackboard
prior to each lab. The physical exam text and the laboratory guides should be brought to lab each
week.
The minimal expectation is that the student has read the required readings and has a beginning
understanding of the skills required to perform the required physical assessments in the laboratory.
Failure to consistently show adequate preparation for the laboratory will result in failure to meet course
outcomes and subsequent course failure.
Some physical examination techniques require close physical contact (e.g., auscultation of heart and
lungs), however, efforts to protect modesty are encouraged by the use of appropriate examination clothing
(e.g., examination gowns). Synthetic breast models are available for performance of the breast exam.
CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY ETIQUETTE
The use of electronic devices (computers, smart phones, ipads, etc.) may only be used to access courserelated information. These devices may not be used to send or receive text messages/email during class
or lab time. Cell phones should be turned off or on vibrate mode and are not to be used during class or
lab. You may use these devices during designated break times.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your
responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of
your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note
that accommodations are not retroactive, and that accommodations based upon disability cannot be
provided until you have presented your instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability
Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
In the course of your professional education you will encounter personal and sensitive information about
others. It is your legal and ethical responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of this information and to
protect the anonymity of those involved. This includes, but is not limited to, avoiding discussions that
would allow others to identify the subject of the information and removing patient names from course
papers/class assignments. Failure to protect the privacy of others may have serious repercussions.
LOST OR DAMAGED LABORATORY SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT
The student is responsible for the replacement of lost or damaged laboratory supplies and equipment.
Final grades will be held until laboratory items are returned or replaced.