UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
COLLEGE OF NURSING
COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL 2011
COURSE NUMBER
NUR 3069C – Section 1185
COURSE TITLE
Health Assessment and Communication
CREDITS
3 (2 credits didactic; 1 credit laboratory)
PLACEMENT
BSN Program: 1st Semester Upper Division
PREREQUISITE
Admission to Upper Division BSN Program
COREQUISITE
NUR 3129 Comprehensive Pathophysiology for Nursing
NUR 3138 Systems of Care 1: Wellness Promotion and Illness
Prevention
COURSE FACULTY
David J Derrico RN, MSN
Clinical Assistant Professor
derridj@ufl.edu
OFFICE
Sheri Curtis MSN, ARNP, PNP-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor
shecu@ufl.edu
HPNP
2222
Anna Hall Kelley, MSN, ARNP
Clinical Assistant Professor
alkelley@ufl.edu
HPNP
2221
Karen Reed, RN, MSN, DHSc
Clinical Assistant Professor
ksreed@ufl.edu
HPNP
3235
Maryann Walker, PhD. ARNP
VAMC
Courtesy Clinical Assistant Professor Trailer 3
Maryann.Walker@va.gov
Room 121
NRC FACULTY
Michele Brimeyer, MSN,ARNP ,
WHNP-BC
PHONE
HPNP
352-273-6341
3202
cell 352-562-6305
Course Coordinator
HPNP
2204
352-273-6409
352-273-6422
cell 352-494-8053
cell
352-273-6097
352-514-8565
352- 376-1611
cell 352- 871-4972
OFFICE HOURS
Tues. 1100-1200
Wed. 1100-1200
Thurs.1130-1330
Thurs. 1100-1300
Thurs. 1130-1330
Monday 1300-1500
in HPNP4215
352- 273-6397
By Appointment &
Pager: 888-338-0602 Week 1 Friday 1300-1400
Clinical Assistant Professor
brimemm@ufl.edu
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Week 2 Monday1130-1230
Weeks 3 - 9 Mon. 1300-1400
Weeks 10-15 Mon. 1000-1100
NRC FACULTY continued
Debbie Popovich, MSN, CPNP
Assistant Professor
popovdm@ufl.edu
HPNP
2223
352-273-6342
Tuesday 1030-1230
Anita M. Stephen, MSN, RN, CNL
Clinical Assistant Professor
astephen@ufl.edu
HPNP
1023A
352- 273-6407
Thursday 0900-1100
Nancy Young, RN, ARNP, CPNP
Clinical Assistant Professor
HPNP
2218
352-273-6403
ngyoung@ufl.edu
By Appointment &
Wks 1-3 Mon.1130-1330
Wks 4-9 Mon.1300-1400
Wks 10-16 Mon.1000-1130
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Joyce Stechmiller, PhD,ACNP-BC, FAAN
Associate Professor
HPNP
Adult and Elderly Nursing
3230
stechjk@ufl.edu
352 273-6394
By Appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This purpose of this course is to examine therapeutic communication and health assessment
principles and techniques. Emphasis is on development of therapeutic communication skills and
assessment of the health of individuals across the lifespan. Focus is on development of
therapeutic relationships and the use of general and specialized assessment skills as a basis for
clinical decision making.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1.
Utilize therapeutic communication techniques within the nurse-client relationship.
2.
Assess health history, including environmental exposure, wellness/illness beliefs,
values, attitudes, and practices of individuals, and a focused family health history.
3.
Identify cultural, developmental, and functional patterns, variations in the health
status of individuals across the lifespan.
4.
Perform an integrated comprehensive physical examination using inspection,
palpation, percussion, and auscultation techniques.
5.
Document health assessment data in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
Day
Monday
Weeks 4-9
Monday
Weeks 10-16
Thursday
Time
Component
0700 - 0950 Teams A&B
Lab Practice and Check-offs
1000 - 1250 Teams C&D
Lab Practice and Check-offs
1400 - 1650 Teams E&F
Lab Practice and Check-offs
(for Monday schedule weeks 1-3 – see calendar for times)
0700 - 0950 Teams A&B
Lab Practice and Check-offs
1130 - 1420 Teams C&D
Lab Practice and Check-offs
1430 - 1720 Teams E&F
Lab Practice and Check-offs
0830 – 1025 all students
Didactic
Room
NRC
NRC
NRC
NRC
NRC
NRC
HPNP 1404
COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Sakai is the course management system that you will use for this course.
Sakai is accessed by using your Gatorlink account name and password at http://lss.at.ufl.edu.
There are several tutorials and student help links on the Sakai login site. If you have technical
questions call the UF Computer Help Desk at 352-392-HELP or send email to
helpdesk@ufl.edu.
It is important that you regularly and frequently check your Gatorlink account email for College
and University wide information and the course E-Learning site for announcements and
notifications. Course websites are generally made available on the Friday before the first day of
classes.
ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to be present for all scheduled clinical laboratory sessions. Students who
have extraordinary circumstances preventing attendance should explain these circumstances to
David Derrico prior to the scheduled clinical laboratory session. Communication by email is
preferred. An effort will be made to accommodate reasonable requests. A grade penalty may
be assigned for unexcused clinical laboratory absences.
NRC Uniform – required for laboratory and simulation, consists of white pants and a navy top
made of scrub or uniform material. Socks, stockings, and belts are required to all be white. Shoes
must be closed heel and toe, nonporous, and primarily white. A white lab coat is optional.
Overall appearance must convey a professional image. Personal hygiene and grooming should be
of a standard that insures the safety and comfort of clients.
Students must arrive to the NRC with all the required equipment (e.g., stethoscope) necessary
for scheduled NRC activities. Activated cell phones and pagers must be turned off in the NRC.
OPEN LAB
For students who desire or need additional practice time with skills, there will be open lab in the
NRC on Wednesdays from 1050-1150 for group 1, 12:50-1350 for group 2, and 1350-1450 for
group 3. The Open lab groups are based on time that individual students are not in NUR3825
class. See NRC posting of open lab group lists.
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ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO DISABILITY
Each semester, students are responsible for requesting a memorandum from the Disability
Resource Center to notify faculty of their requested individual accommodations. This should be
done at the start of the semester.
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are to refer to the College of Nursing Student Handbook for information about College
of Nursing policies, honor code, and professional behavior. Of particular importance for this
course are the sections on appearance in clinical practice areas, personal liability insurance, and
student safety.
TOPICAL OUTLINE
1. Communication across the lifespan
a. Active listening
b. Empathy
c. Silence
d. Touch
e. Paraphrasing
f. Clarifying
g. Focusing
h. Summarizing
i. Self-disclosing
j. Confronting
2. Problem solving process in nursing practice
3. Critical thinking and decision making
4. Assessment
a. Overview
b. Health history
c. Functional Health Pattern assessment
d. Developmental assessment
e. Mental status assessment
f. Physical examination
i. Techniques
ii. System review
5. Communication of health assessment data
6. Collaboration with inter-professional healthcare team
TEACHING METHODS
Lecture, demonstration, and guided laboratory practice sessions.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Reading assignments, videos, return demonstrations, and simulated laboratory experiences.
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EVALUATION METHODS/COURSE GRADE CALCULATION
Evaluation in this course is based on an average of numerical values from 4 objective exams, a
satisfactory grade in clinical laboratory performance and integrated health exam demonstration. Exam
scores are averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number to determine the final course
grade.

Final course grade is based on the exam average described below:
Exam #1
25%
Exam #2
25%
Exam #3
25%
Exam #4
25%
Total
100%

Clinical Laboratory performance is graded:
S = Satisfactory
U = Unsatisfactory
The Clinical Laboratory performance evaluation is based upon:
1.
Viewing weekly assigned videos
2.
Being prepared for Clinical laboratory sessions as evidenced by arriving to
scheduled laboratory sessions on time with pre-lab preparation as assigned.
3.
Participating in clinical laboratory and seminar experiences as scheduled.
4.
Successfully completing assessment check-offs as scheduled.


Integrated Health Exam is graded:
S = Satisfactory
U = Unsatisfactory
Examinations are used to demonstrate the student’s application, analysis, and synthesis of the
course content. You must be present for all scheduled exams. Early testing is not an option.
Make-up exams are given only for exceptional circumstances. Students must discuss the absence
circumstances with David Derrico (352-273-6341) prior to the scheduled exam and a missed
exam must be made up within one week. Missed check-offs will be rescheduled within a week
with David Derrico.
GRADING SCALE
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DE
Points
95 – 100
93 – 94
91 – 92
84 – 90
82 – 83
80 – 81
74* - 79
*74% is the minimum
72 – 73
70 – 71
64 – 69
62 – 63
61 or below
Quality Points
4.0
3.67
3.33
3.0
2.67
2.33
2.0
passing grade
1.67
1.33
1.0
.67
0.0
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REQUIRED TEXTS
Ackley, B. & Ladwig, G. (2011). Nursing diagnosis handbook: An evidence-based guide to
planning care (9th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby/Elsevier.
Berman, A.J., Snyder, S., Kozier, B.J., Erb, G., (2012). Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing
(9th ed.),. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall
Jarvis, C. (2012). Physical examination and health assessment (6th ed.)
St. Louis: Saunders/Elsevier.
Jarvis, C. (2012). Pocket companion for physical examination and health assessment (6th ed.).
St. Louis: Saunders/Elsevier.
Mosby’s Nursing Video Skills. (2009). Basic, intermediate, & advanced skills: Student version 3.0.
St. Louis: Mosby/Elsevier
Mosby’s Nursing Video Skills. (2007). Physical examination and health assessment.
St. Louis: Mosby/Elsevier
Schuster, P. & Nykolyn, L. (2010). Communication for nurses: How to prevent harmful events and
promote patient safety. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis
Silvestri, L.A. (2011). Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN examination (5th ed.).
St. Louis: Saunders/Elsevier.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Venes, D. (2010) Taber’s cyclopedic medical dictionary (21st ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis
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WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE (see p.7 for detailed schedule, concepts, & NRC activities)
LECTURE
TOPICS
ASSIGNMENTS:
FACULTY
DATES
READINGS & VIDEOS
8/22 & 8/25
Introduction, Concepts
Jarvis: Chapter 1,3,4 &5
Derrico
Week 1
Problem Solving
Ackley: Chapter 1
Communication
Walker
9/1 Week 2
Growth &Development
Berman: pp 354-371
Curtis
Pain assessment
Jarvis: Chapter 10
Derrico
Mosby Video: Assessing pain
9/8 Week 3
General Survey &
Jarvis: Chapter 8, 9 & 10
Derrico
Vital Signs assessment
Mosby Videos: Vital Signs: all
9/15 Week 4
Skin, Hair, & Nail
Jarvis: Chapter 12
Derrico
assessment
Mosby Videos: Skin, hair, nails
EXAM 1 9/15/10
0700 HPNP Auditorium
9/22 Week 5
Head & Neck, Nose,
Jarvis: Chapter 13 & 16
Derrico
Mouth, & Throat
Mosby Videos: Head, & neck,
assessment
Nose, Mouth & throat
9/29 Week 6
Eyes & Ears
Jarvis: Chapter 14, & 15
Derrico
assessment
Mosby Videos: Eyes & Ears
10/6 Week 7
Assessment of Children:
Berman: Child health content in Curtis
Eyes/Ears, Head/Neck,
chapters 12 - 16, pp. 203-381
Nose/Mouth & Throat
Jarvis: Chapter 13-16
10/13 Week 8
Pulmonary assessment
Jarvis: Chapter 18
Derrico
Mosby Videos: Thorax & lungs
10/20 Week 9
Cardiovascular
Jarvis: Chapter 19 & 20
Derrico
assessment
Mosby Videos: Heart & neck
vessels, and peripheral vascular
EXAM 2 10/20/10
0700 HPNP Auditorium
Assessment of Pregnant
woman – Web
Jarvis: Chapter 29
Kelley
10/27 Week 10
Abdomen Assessment
Jarvis: Chapter 11 & 21
Derrico
Nutritional Assess - Web Mosby Videos: Abdomen
11/3 Week 11
Breast Assessment
Jarvis: Chapter 17, 24, 25, & 26 Curtis
CV & Pulmonary
Child health in Ch 18, 19, 20, 21
assessment of children
Mosby Videos: Breast &
GU Assess – Web .
Male & Female Genitourinary
11/10 Week 12
Musculoskeletal
Jarvis: Chapter 22
Derrico
Assessment
Mosby Videos: Musculoskeletal
11/17 Week 13
Neurological Assessment Jarvis: Chapter 6 & 23
Derrico
Mosby Videos: Neurologic:
Mental status & cranial nerves,
Motor & sensory
EXAM 3 11/17/10
0700 HPNP Auditorium
11/24 Week 14
Thanksgiving Holiday
NO CLASS
12/1 Week 15
Integrated Health Exam
Jarvis: Chapter 27 & 28
Derrico
MS & neurological
Jarvis Chapters 22 & 23
Curtis
assessment of children
Mosby videos: Head to Toe
12/8 Week 16
Reading Days
NO CLASS
Finals week
Final Exam 12/13/10
1600 HPNP Auditorium
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WEEKLY CALENDAR
LAB
&
DATES
LECTURE & DATES
Week 1:
Monday
8/22
Thursday
8/25
2h lecture
Introduction .
2h lecture
Communication
Concepts & Problem Solving
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 2:
Monday
8/29
Thursday
9/1
2h lab#1
Interviewing Skills 2h lecture Growth and Development
& Practice Lab
Concept: Comfort/Pain
Pain assessment in children
Adult pain assessment-Web
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 3:
Monday
9/5
Thursday
9/8
LABOR DAY – NO LAB
2h lecture
General Survey
Concepts: Oxygenation & Perfusion
General Survey & Vital Sign assessment
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 4:
Monday
9/12
Thursday
9/15
3h lab#2
Vital Signs
2h lecture
Assessment Techniques
Concepts: Protection & Perception
Skin, hair, & nail assessment
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1.Problem Solving & Documentation
2.Communication: Communicating with children
3.Temperature assessment
4.Vital signs assessment in Children
EXAM #1 – 9/15/10 0700 HPNP Auditorium
__________________________________________________________________
Week 5:
Monday
9/19
Check off:
Vital Sign assessment
Thursday
2h lecture
9/22
Concept: Perception
Head & Neck,
Nose, Mouth, & Throat assessment
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 6:
Monday
9/26
Thursday
9/29
3h lab#3
GS, Skin, Hair, Nails 2h lecture
Concept: Perception
Nose, Mouth, Throat
Eyes & Ears assessment
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1. Problem Solving & documentation
2. Communication: Collecting data in the community & inpatient settings
3. Denver Developmental Screening Tool (DDST) assessment
4. Electronic blood pressure and oxygen saturation assessment
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______________________________________________________________________________
LAB
& DATES
LECTURE & DATES
Week 7:
Monday
10/3
Thursday
Check off:
2h lecture
General Survey, Skin, Hair, Nails
Nose, Mouth, Throat assessment
10/6
Concept: Perception
Assessment of Children:
Eyes/Ears, Head/neck,
Nose/Mouth/Throat.
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 8:
Monday
10/10
Thursday
10/13
3h lab#4
Head & neck
2h lecture
Concept: Oxygenation
Eyes & ears
Pulmonary assessment
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1. Problem Solving & documentation
2.Communication: Challenging communication issues
3.Eye & vision assessment in children
4.Ear and hearing assessment in children
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 9:
Monday
10/17
Thursday
10/20
Check off:
2h lecture
Concepts: Oxygenation &
Head & neck, Eyes & ears
Perfusion
Assessment
Cardiovascular assessment
Concept: Reproduction
Assessment of the pregnant woman – Web
EXAM #2 – 10/20 0700 HPNP Auditorium
__________________________________________________________________
Week 10:
Monday
3h lab#5
10/24
CV and Pulmonary
Thursday
10/27
2h lecture Concepts: Nutrition &
Elimination
Abdominal assessment
Nutritional assessment – Web
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1. Problem Solving & Documentation
2.Communication: Communicating pregnancy concerns
3. Heart & Lung Sounds
4. Assessment of the pregnant woman – part 1
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 11:
Monday
10/31
Thursday
11/3
Check off:
2H lecture
Concepts: Elimination &
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary
Sexuality
Assessment
Breast assessment & GU assessment – Web
Concepts: Oxygenation & Perfusion:
Pulmonary & Cardiovascular assessment of children
______________________________________________________________________________
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LAB
Week 12:
Monday
3h lab#6
&
DATES
11/7
Abdomen, Breast/GU
LECTURE & DATES
Thursday
2h lecture
11/10
Concepts: Activity/Mobility
Musculoskeletal assessment
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1. Problem Solving & Documentation
2.Communication:Addressing personal space/boundaries & personal touch
3. Breast Assessment
4. Assessment of the pregnant woman – part 2
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 13:
Monday
11/14
Thursday
11/17
Check off:
2h lecture
Concepts: Cognition,
Abdomen, Breast & Genitourinary
Activity/Mobility, & Perception
assessment
Neurologic assessment
EXAM #3 –11/17 0700 HPNP Auditorium
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 14:
Monday
11/21
Thursday
11/24
3h lab#7
MS and Neuro
NO CLASS- Thanksgiving Holiday
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1. Problem Solving & Documentation
2.Communication:Client issues r/t sensory deficits/nonverbal behaviors
3.Neurologic assessment of infants
4. Childhood musculoskeletal assessment
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 15:
Monday
11/28
Thursday
12/1
Check off:
2h lecture
Integrated Health Exam (IHE)
Musculoskeltal & Neurological
Concepts: Cognition,
assessment
Activity/Mobility, & Perception
Musculoskeletal & Neurological
Assessment of children
Optional IHE Practice – in Open lab on Wednesday 11/30
1050-1150 Open Lab 1 NRC
1250-1350 Open Lab 2 NRC
1350-1450 Open Lab 3 NRC
(assigned open lab based on time not in NUR3825)
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 16:
Monday
12/5
Thursday
12/8
Integrated Health Exam
.Reading Day – NO CLASS
EXAM #4 – 12/13 1600 HPNP1404
__________________________________________________________________
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EXAM BLUEPRINT: Dates/Times, Topics, & Chapters
Exam 1 – Week 4
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15
0700
Jarvis Chapters 1,3,4,5,8, 9, & 10
Introduction, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
Communication
Growth and Development
Vital Signs and Pain Assessment
Pediatric assessment of Vital Signs and Pain
General Survey
Assessment Techniques
HPNP1404
Exam 2 - Week 9
THURSDAY OCTOBER 20
0700
Jarvis Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18
Skin, Hair, & Nails Assessment
Head and neck Assessment
Nose, Mouth, & Throat Assessment
Eyes and Ears Assessment
Lung and Thorax Assessment
Pediatric Assessment of above areas
HPNP1404
Exam 3 - Week 13
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17
0700
Jarvis Chapters 11, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 & 29
Cardiovascular Assessment
Abdomen Assessment
Nutritional Assessment
Breast Assessment
Genitourinary Assessment
Musculoskeletal Assessment
Pediatric Assessment of above areas
Assessment of the pregnant woman
HPNP1404
FINAL EXAM
Approved:
TUESDAY DECEMBER 13
1600
Jarvis Chapters 6, 22, 23, 27, 28
Neurological Assessment
Musculoskeletal &/Neurological Assessment of Children
Integrated Health Examination
Academic Affairs Committee:
General Faculty:
UF Curriculum Committee:
HPNP1404
02/03, 12/03; 09/09
02/03, 01/04; 09/09
05/03; 10/09
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NUR3069C (1185)- Fall 2011- Derrico -8/12/11- Final Copy
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