UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
COLLEGE OF NURSING
COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL 2012
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 Pathophysiology and Psychopathology
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
PHONE
HPNP
352-273-6341
3202
cell 352-562-6305
Course Coordinator
Sheri Curtis MSN, ARNP, PNP-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor
shecu@ufl.edu
HPNP
2222
Anna Hall Kelley, MSN, ARNP
HPNP
Clinical Assistant Professor
2221
352-273-6409
352-273-6422
cell 352-494-8053
OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday 1115-1315
Thursday 1030-1230
Monday 0930-1130
alkelley@ufl.edu
Karen Reed, RN, MSN, DHSc
Clinical Assistant Professor
ksreed@ufl.edu
HPNP
3235
Maryann Walker, PhD. ARNP
VAMC
Courtesy Clinical Assistant Professor E442
Maryann.Walker@va.gov
NRC FACULTY
Cynthia Figueroa-Haas, PhD, APRN-BC HPNP
Clinical Assistant Professor
3239
cindiarn@ufl.edu
Sandra J. Knapp, PhD, CCRN, CNL
Assistant Clinical Professor
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
HPNP
3212
352-273-6097
cell 352-514-8565
352- 376-1611 X 5281
cell 352- 871-4972
352-273-6424
352 273-6319
cell 352 260-2358
Monday 1300-1500
by Appointment
Tuesday 1300-1500
& by Appointment
Tuesday 1300-1500
sjknapp@ufl.edu
NRC FACULTY continued
Saunjoo Yoon, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
yoon@ufl.edu
Nancy Young, RN, ARNP, CPNP
Clinical Assistant Professor
HPNP
3223
352-273-6418
Friday 1030-1230
HPNP
2218
352-273-6403
Monday 1330-1530
ngyoung@ufl.edu
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Joyce Stechmiller, PhD, ACNP-BC, FAAN
Associate Professor
HPNP
Adult and Elderly Nursing
3230
352 273-6394
by Appointment
stechjk@ufl.edu
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.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Day
Thursday
Monday
Time
0830-1025
0700-0950 or 1000-1250
Component
Lecture
Lab/Practice
Check-off weeks 7,9,12,15,16
Room
G101
NRC
NRC
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.
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
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
Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work are
consistent with university policies that can be found at:
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx .
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 Fridays from 1300-1400.
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.
UNIVERSTY COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc/ (352) 392-1575
STUDENT HANDBOOK
Students are to refer to the College of Nursing Student Handbook for information about
University & College of Nursing policies, honor code, and professional behavior.
http://con.ufl.edu/currentStudents/e_docs/Undergraduate%20Handbook%202011.pdf
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/advising/info/student-honor-code.aspx#honesty
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
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.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Classroom Behavior is covered under the Regulation of the University of Florida, Regulation
2.019. (j) Conduct Disruptive to the University Community. All students are expected to comply
with UF policies http://regulations.ufl.edu/chapter4/4041.pdf.
The UF policy defines disruption of a class or curricular activity as follows:
Classroom or other academic workplace behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor’s
authority or ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of other students to benefit from the
instructional program
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.
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico

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
For more information on grades and grading policies, please refer to University’s grading
policies: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/grades.aspx
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
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
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE (see p.8 for detailed schedule, concepts, & NRC activities)
LECTURE
TOPICS
ASSIGNMENTS:
FACULTY
DATES
READINGS & VIDEOS
8/23
Intro. Priorities,
Jarvis: Chapter 1,3,4 &5
Derrico
Week 1
Problem Solving
Ackley: Chapter 1
8/30 Week 2
G & D assessment
Berman: pp 354-371
Curtis
(NRC 8/27) Communication Lecture
Jarvis: Chapter 10
Walker
Schuster: Chapter 1,2, & 3
9/6 Week 3
General Survey, Vital
Jarvis: Chapter 2, 8, 9 & 10
Derrico
Signs, & Pain assessment Mosby Videos: Vital Signs: all
Cultural Competence
Assessing Pain
Stephen
9/13 Week 4
EXAM 1
0830 Computer Testing Center
Skin, Hair, & Nails
Jarvis: Chapter 2,12
Derrico
Mosby Videos: Skin, hair, nails
9/17 Week 5
Head & Neck, Nose,
Jarvis: Chapter 13 & 16
Derrico
Mouth, & Throat
Mosby Videos: Head, & neck,
assessment
Nose, Mouth & throat
9/27 Week 6
Eyes & Ears
Jarvis: Chapter 14, & 15
Derrico
assessment
Mosby Videos: Eyes & Ears
10/4 Week 7
Assessment of Children:
Berman: Child health content in Curtis
Vital Signs, Pain, Head
chapters 12 - 16, pp. 203-381
EENT, Mouth & Throat
Jarvis: Chapter 13-16
10/11 Week 8
EXAM 2
0830 Computer Testing Center
Pregnancy Assess – Web
Kelley
10/18 Week 9
Pulmonary assessment
Jarvis: Chapter 18, 19 & 20
Derrico
Cardiovascular
Mosby Videos: Lungs & Thorax,
assessment
Heart & neck vessels, & PV
Jarvis: Chapter 29
10/25 Week 10
Abdomen Assessment
Jarvis: Chapter 11 & 21
Derrico
Nutritional Assess – Web Mosby Videos: Abdomen
GU Assess – Web .
Male & Female Genitourinary
11/1 Week 11
11/8 Week 12
11/15 Week 13
11/22 Week 14
11/29 Week 15
12/6 Week 16
Finals week
Breast Assessment
CV & Pulmonary
assessment of children
EXAM 3
Musculoskeletal
Assessment
Neurological Assessment
Thanksgiving Holiday
Integrated Health Exam
MS & neurological
assessment of children
Reading Days
Final Exam 12/12/10
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
Jarvis: Chapter 17, 24, 25, & 26
Child health in Ch 18, 19, 20, 21
Mosby Videos:Breast assessment
0830 Computer Testing Center
Jarvis: Chapter 22
Mosby Videos: Musculoskeletal
Jarvis: Chapter 6 & 23
Mosby Videos: Neurologic:
Mental status & cranial nerves,
Motor & sensory
NO CLASS
Jarvis: Chapter 27 & 28
Jarvis Chapters 22 & 23
Mosby videos: Head to Toe
NO CLASS
0800 Computer Testing Center
Curtis
Derrico
Derrico
Derrico
Curtis
WEEKLY CALENDAR
LAB
&
DATES
LECTURE & DATES
Week 1:
Thursday
8/23
2h lecture
Introduction .
Assessment, Priorities, & Problem Solving
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 2:
Monday
8/27
Thursday
8/30
1h lab Problem Solving
2h lecture Growth and Development
2h lab Communication
____________________________________________________________________________
Week 3:
Monday
9/3
LABOR DAY – NO LAB
Thursday
9/6
2h lecture Assessment Techniques
Vital Signs, General Survey, Pain
Concepts: Oxygenation & Perfusion
Cultural Competence – Web
Week 4:
Monday
9/10
1h lab Problem Solving
2h lab Interviewing Skills
Thursday
9/13
75m EXAM #1: Computer Testing Center
30m lecture Skin, hair, & nail assessment
Concepts: Protection & Perception
__________________________________________________________________
Week 5:
Monday
9/17
Thursday
9/20
3h lab Vital Sign Assessment
2h lecture Head & Neck, Nose, Mouth, &
Skin, Hair, Nails
Throat assessment
After practice stations (20 min.each)
Concept: Perception
1.Problem Solving & Documentation
2.Communication: Communicating with children
3.Temperature assessment
4.Electronic blood pressure and oxygen saturation assessment
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 6:
Monday
9/24
Check off:Vital Sign assessment
Skin, Hair, Nails
Thursday
2h lecture
9/27
Concept: Perception
Eyes & Ears assessment
______________________________________________________________________________
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
LAB
Week 7:
&
DATES
LECTURE & DATES
Monday
10/1
Thursday
3h lab Head & neck, Nose,
2h lecture
Mouth, Throat, Eyes & ears
10/4
Concept: Perception
Assessment of Children:
Vital Signs, Pain, Eyes/Ears,
Head/neck, Nose/Mouth/Throat.
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. Vital Signs in Children
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 8:
Monday
10/8
Check off: Assessment
Head & neck, Eyes & ears
Thursday
10/11
75m EXAM #2: Computer Testing Center
Concept: Reproduction
Pregnancy Assessment- Web
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 9:
Monday
10/15
NRC Lecture: Concept: Oxygenation
Pulmonary Assessment
Thursday
2h lecture
10/18
Concepts: Oxygenation &
Perfusion
Cardiovascular assessment
__________________________________________________________________
Week 10:
Monday
10/22
3h lab CV and Pulmonary
Assessment
Thursday
10/25
2h lecture Concepts: Nutrition & Elimination
Abdominal Assessment
Nutritional assessment – Web
After practice stations (20 min.each)
GU assessment – Web
1. Problem Solving & Documentation
2. Communication: Communicating pregnancy concerns
3. Heart & Lung Sounds
4. Assessment of the Pregnant Woman
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 11:
Monday
3h lab
10/29
Abdomen, Breast/GU
Assessment
Thursday
11/1
2H lecture Concepts: Sexuality
Breast assessment
Concepts: Oxygenation & Perfusion:
After practice stations (20 min.each)
Pulmonary/CV assessment of children
1. Problem Solving & Documentation
2.Communication:Addressing personal space/boundaries & personal touch
3. Breast Assessment
4. Assessment of the Pregnant Woman
______________________________________________________________________________
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
LAB
&
DATES
LECTURE & DATES
Week 12:
Monday
11/5
Check off: CV/ Pulmonary
Abdomen, GU Assessment
Thursday
11/8
75m EXAM #3: Computer Testing Center
30m lecture: Musculoskeletal assessment
Concepts: Mobility
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 13:
Monday
11/12
No Class: Veteran’s day
Thursday
2h lecture
Week 14:
Monday
3h lab#7
Thursday
11/24
NO CLASS- Thanksgiving Holiday
11/15
Concepts: Cognition,
Mobility, & Perception
Neurologic assessment
______________________________________________________________________________
11/21
MS and Neuro
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1. Problem Solving & Documentation
2. Communication:Client issues r/t sensory deficits/nonverbal behaviors
3. Assessment of the Postpartum Woman
4. Normal Newborn Assessment
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 15:
Monday
11/26
Check off:
Musculoskeltal & Neurological
assessment
Thursday
2h lecture
11/29
Integrated Health Exam (IHE)
Concepts: Cognition,
Activity/Mobility, & Perception
Musculoskeletal & Neurological
Assessment of children
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 16:
Monday
12/3
Integrated Health Exam
Thursday
12/6
Reading Day – NO CLASS
__________________________________________________________________
Finals Week: EXAM #4 – 12/12 0800 Computer Testing Center
Approved:
Academic Affairs Committee:
General Faculty:
UF Curriculum Committee:
NUR3069C (1185) Fall 2012 - Derrico
02/03, 12/03; 09/09
02/03, 01/04; 09/09
05/03; 10/09