MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Child: Physical Assessment
NH6141
20
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
x
Level 7
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Normally BSc (Hons)/ Graduate Certificate in Acute Clinical Practice
admission criteria apply
Health care professionals working in an area of acute care with normally
one years’ post-registration experience and working clinically 15 hours
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
x
Distance
Placement x
Online
Other
Pattern of delivery
Weekly x
Block
Other
When module is delivered
Semester 1
x
Semester 2
x
Throughout year
Other
Brief description of module Enable health practitioners to demonstrate the critical knowledge and
content and/ or aims
clinical skills of a holistic health assessment for infants, children and
Overview (max 80 words)
young people including history taking, child development, and clinical
examination. Develop the health practitioner’s ability to interpret the
assessment findings and contribute to clinical decision making.
To develop the student’s knowledge and skills in the process of physical
assessment of children and young people in their specialist area of
practice using appropriate knowledge, assessment methods and
interpersonal skills.
To develop the student’s ability to use the findings and contribute to
clinical decision making for individuals and groups of patients / clients.
School
School of Health Sciences
Site/ campus where
delivered
Falmer, Brighton
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
BSc (Hons) Acute Clinical Practice
Graduate Certificate in Acute Clinical Practice
BSc (Hons) Professional Practice
BSc Nurse Practitioner
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
O
O
O
M
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
To develop the student’s knowledge and skills in the process of
physical assessment of children and young people in their specialist
area of practice using appropriate knowledge, assessment methods
and interpersonal skills. In addition to develop the student’s ability to
use the findings and contribute to clinical decision making for
individuals and groups of patients/clients.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate an holistic child health history which
incorporates child development, psychosocial and family
dimensions
2. Demonstrate a structured physical assessment of children
and young people integrating appropriate techniques and
tools
3. Safeguard children and young people by integrating safe
practice and promoting equality, diversity and dignity
4. Differentiate between common abnormal physical
assessment findings of children and young people and
interpret in relation to the occurring pathophysiology
5. Evaluate the need for further investigations and /or referral
based upon abnormal physical assessment findings in
relation to the practitioner’s area of practice
Content
Learning support

Overview of physical assessment and clinical examination
strategies and skills for infants, children and young people

Legal, ethical and professional issues regarding physical
assessment and clinical examination of infants, children and young
people

Role clarification: policy and cultural impact on role change

History taking; clinical reasoning and decision making, and
documentation

Critical holistic assessment of the following systems focusing on
infants, children and young people: respiratory, cardiovascular,
neurological, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, skin, ENT, eyes,
mental health and the special needs of the neonate.
Textbooks
Latest editions of the following texts:
Bickley L and P Szilagyi 2013. Bates’ Guide to Physical
Examination and History Taking 9th edition Philadelphia
Lippincott
Chiocca, E. 2011. Advanced Paediatric Assessment.
London Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Duderstadt K G 2006. Paediatric Physical Examination
Oxford Mosby Elsevier
Engel J K 2006. Paediatric Assessment Fifth Edition
Philadelphia Mosby Elsevier
Gill, D. O’Brian, N.2007. Paediatric Clinical Examination
made easy. Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone
McKean M, C O’Callaghan and M Runciman 2006.
Paediatric Cardiovascular Examination OCB media DVD
Sawyer, S.2011 Paediatric Physical Examination and
Health Assessment. Barlett and Jones Publications, Inc
Websites
http://www.elu.sgul.ac.uk/cso/
https://www.spottingthesickchild.com/
http://www.breathingcenter.com/
Journals
Archives of Disease of Childhood
Journal of paediatrics and Child health
Paediatric and Child Health
The changing range of websites will be provided within the module handbook
and on studentcentral
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
A variety of teaching methods including:
 Lectures
 Practical demonstration and supervised practice
 Simulation
 Rehearsal of OSCE techniques
Study hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students
can expect to spend in scheduled teaching activities
including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project
supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios,
fieldwork, external visits, and work-based learning.
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided
independent study which includes wider reading/
practice, follow-up work, the completion of assessment
tasks, and revisions.
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from
the University that is not work-based learning or a year
abroad.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
60
60
80
200 hours
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for
this module
Students will undertake two assessment tasks: both assessment tasks
must be passed in order to pass the module overall.
Part one Theoretical element (50% of overall mark)
Students will choose 5 out of the 9 major body systems for the
theoretical assignment which will be presented in the practice portfolio:

Practice Portfolio (Clinical Reasoning Accounts) – for each
of the chosen 5 body systems, a 500 word analysis will be
written interpreting the significance of abnormal findings and
how these abnormalities were acted upon using supporting
literature to substantiate the discussion (clinical reasoning
account total = 2500 words). The 500 word analysis for each
body system will have a preface to summarise in bullet points
the health history findings, physical assessment findings and
actions taken. (LO2, LO4, LO5)
Part two Practical element (50% of overall mark)


Practice Portfolio (child/young person Assessments) –
physical assessment for the 9 body systems in the practice
setting and assessed as pass/fail by a designated practicebased assessor (LO1, LO2, LO3)
OSCE – physical assessment for a selection of 3 out of these 5
body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal,
neurological and musculoskeletal) and graded using OSCE
marking criteria in the University setting (LO1, LO2, LO4)
Types of assessment task1
% weighting
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
COURSEWORK
Practice Portfolio – clinical reasoning accounts
50%
PRACTICAL
OSCE at university and practice portfolio with mentors
50%
1
Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Undergraduate CPE (Acute Clinical Practice) AEB
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Karen Currell
Senior lecturer University of
Huddersfield
September 2013
August 2017
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
June 2008
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
Version number
Modules replaced
April 2015
2
(old code NH3141)
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Yes
X
No