NURS 340
Health Assessment Throughout The Lifespan
1. Catalog Entry
NURS 340. Health Assessment Throughout The Lifespan
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory (3)
Prerequisites: Upper Division standing
Semester offered: Fall and Spring
Focuses on the use of health assessment skills required to perform a systematic health
assessment.
2. Detailed Description of Content of the Course
The objectives and content of this Level 1 Course are derived from the School of Nursing’s
philosophy and conceptual framework, and facilitate achievement of the School’s program
objectives. Additionally, the major topics and skills covered in this course are common to major
leadership and professional development nursing textbooks, and represent areas covered on
standardized achievement examinations and the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Current research and
advancement in theory and clinical practice also determine content.
1. National Health Priorities
2. Holistic Health Assessment
3. Growth Measurement and Recording Information
4. Nutritional Assessment
5. Examination Techniques and Equipment
6. Assessment and Recording of Vital Signs
7. Skin, Hair, Nails
8. Eyes
9. Ears, Nose, Throat
10. Lymphatic System
11. Chest and Lung, Breast and Axillae
12. Heart and Peripheral Vascular
13. Abdomen
14. Musculoskeletal Assessment
15. Neurological Assessment and Mental Status
16. Female Genitalia and Male Genitalia
17. Anus and Rectum
18. Putting It All Together
19. Integrated Physical Exam
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The following teaching strategies will be employed:

Lectures, discussion, multimedia, case studies, and lab experiences.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate skill in interviewing and communication techniques recognizing the client as a
partner in obtaining a holistic health history.
2. Demonstrate skill in performing a safe and accurate physical assessment.
3. Record data collected from the client history and physical assessment in a concise, accurate,
and logical sequence.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking with the ability to integrate the complete history and physical
assessment.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking with the ability to analyze assessment data and assign
appropriate nursing diagnosis.
6. Describe pertinent findings in select body systems occurring across the life span incorporating
the influence of cultural diversity.
5. Assessment Measures
May include:







Exams; Quizzes
Paper
Project, Individual or Group
Care Plan
Oral Presentations
Class Participation
Laboratory Activities
The course grade is determined by an evaluation of the extent to which the student meets the
stated course objectives. Students must have a minimum of 75% (“C”) in theory, measured
through testing. Other written or class participation work will be included in the final grade after
the minimum 75% (“C”) has been attained through testing.
Final Grades are a combination of at least 75% (“C”) on both theory and clinical/lab
components. Clinical/lab performance must be satisfactory to pass the course.
6. Other Course Information
Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment
to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or
exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in
strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details.
Students with Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans
With Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO).
The DRO is located in Room 32, Tyler Hall, telephone 540-831-6350. To receive academic
accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with me no later
than the second week of the semester.
Attendance: For Attendance policies and other course-related requirements, see School of
Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.
7. Review and Approval
Date Action Reviewed by
April 2006 Undergraduate Curriculum Marcella Griggs, Director
NURS 340
Health Assessment throughout The Lifespan
1. Catalog Entry
NURS 340. Health Assessment Throughout The Lifespan
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory (3)
Prerequisites: Upper Division standing
Semester offered: Fall and Spring
Focuses on the use of health assessment skills required to perform a systematic health
assessment.
2. Detailed Description of Content of the Course
The objectives and content of this Level 1 Course are derived from the School of Nursing’s
philosophy, conceptual framework and the Board of Nursing Baccalaureate Essentials, and
facilitate achievement of the School’s program objectives. Ethical, vocational, and legal
aspects of nursing are incorporated into course content, including patient rights and
professional responsibility, assessment and interventions to prevent abuse, neglect, and
abandonment, history and trends in nursing and health care, and regulations and sections
of the Code of Virginia related to nursing. Additionally, the major topics and skills covered
in this course are common to major leadership and professional development nursing
textbooks, and represent areas covered on standardized achievement examinations and the
NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Current research and advancement in theory and clinical practice also
determine content.
1. National Health Priorities
2. Holistic Health Assessment
3. Growth Measurement and Recording Information
4. Nutritional Assessment
5. Examination Techniques and Equipment
6. Assessment and Recording of Vital Signs
7. Skin, Hair, Nails
8. Eyes
9. Ears, Nose, Throat
10. Lymphatic System
11. Chest and Lung, Breast and Axillae
12. Heart and Peripheral Vascular
13. Abdomen
14. Musculoskeletal Assessment
15. Neurological Assessment and Mental Status
16. Female Genitalia and Male Genitalia
17. Anus and Rectum
18. Putting It All Together
19. Integrated Physical Exam
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The following teaching strategies will be employed:

Lectures, discussion, multimedia, case studies, and lab experiences.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Accept accountability and applies basic communications skills in
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
interviewing recognizing the client as a partner in obtaining a holistic health
history.
Accept oneself as independent learner who demonstrates skill in performing
a safe an accurate physical assessment.
Use standardized terminology and records data collected from the client
history and physical assessment in a concise, accurate, and logical
sequence.
Demonstrate critical thinking with the ability to integrate the complete history
and physical assessment using the latest evidenced-based research findings
and Standards of Nursing Practice.
Demonstrate critical thinking with the ability to analyze assessment data and
assign appropriate nursing diagnoses.
Describe pertinent findings in select body systems occurring across the
life-span incorporating personal, professional and environmental risks as well
as
the influence of cultural diversity.
7. Develop an awareness of patients as well as healthcare professionals’ spiritual
beliefs and values to evaluate the effect on health
status.
5. Assessment Measures
May include:







Exams; Quizzes
Paper
Project, Individual or Group
Care Plan
Oral Presentations
Class Participation
Laboratory Activities
The course grade is determined by an evaluation of the extent to which the student meets
the stated course objectives. Students must have a minimum of 75% (“C”) in theory,
measured through testing. Other written or class participation work will be included in the
final grade after the minimum 75% (“C”) has been attained through testing.
Final Grades are a combination of at least 75% (“C”) on both theory and clinical/lab
components. Clinical/lab performance must be satisfactory to pass the course.
6. Other Course Information
Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a
commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without
compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class
will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook
for details.
Students with Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the
Americans With Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource
Office (DRO). The DRO is located in Room 32, Tyler Hall, telephone 540-831-6350. To
receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and
meet with me no later than the second week of the semester.
Attendance: For Attendance policies and other course-related requirements, see School of
Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.
7. Review and Approval
Date Action Reviewed by
April 2006 Undergraduate Curriculum Marcella Griggs, Director
February 2011, Kim Carter, Director