EXISTING SYLLABUS
Northern Arizona University
College of Health and Human Services
School of Nursing
Course Number:
NUR 332
Course Title:
Nursing Assessment and Process
Semester:
Summer
Credit Hours:
3 Credit Hours (1 Credit Hour online didactic, 3 Hours
Clinical Laboratory time per week)
Faculty:
Kate Watkins, MSN, RN, CPNP, CNE
Associate Clinical Professor
Clinical Laboratory Faculty: Cynthia Bool, MSN/Ed.,
RN
Assistant Clinical Professor
Office Address: NAU, School of Nursing
PO Box 15035
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Phone: Office: 928-523-0297
Fax: 928-523-7171
Primary Email Address:
Please use Message function within Blackboard Learn
Alternate E-mail Address: Katherine.Watkins@nau.edu; Cynthia.Bool@nau.edu
Office Hours:
By appointment
Prerequisites:
Admission to nursing program
Co-requisites:
NUR 331 and NUR 319
Course Description:
This course provides the pre-licensure nursing student with knowledge and skills in
fundamental health assessment throughout the life span. The course will include
subjective and objective assessments, documentation using the problem-oriented
medical record format, and critical thinking to relate assessment findings to patients'
health status. Acquisition of cognitive and psychomotor skills will allow the nursing
student to distinguish between normal and common variants, and physiologic and
psychosocial changes indicative of maladaptive responses. The clinical problem-solving
process will be emphasized to include the problem-oriented history, health assessment,
and development of nursing diagnoses and care planning. The clinical coursework will
provide opportunities for students to practice applying the concepts and skills of health
assessment with other individuals.
Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, the student will:
Didactic Portion
Clinical Practice and Prevention
 Demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills necessary to perform a health
assessment and physical examination on a healthy adult.
 Describe the relationship of health assessment to health promotion.
 Identify the roles of nursing process in nursing care.
Communication
 Demonstrate individualized, clear, effective, respectful and compassionate
communication while performing the health assessment and physical examination.
Critical Reasoning
 Integrate multiple ways of knowing and the ability to use critical thinking to relate
health assessment and physical examination findings to the health status of
individuals across the life span.
 Identify strategies and planning to promote health and wellness.
Leadership
 Identify the opportunities for nurses to take a leadership role in creating
environments for health promotion.
Professionalism and Professional Values
 Demonstrate professional values through the affective characteristics of caring with
compassion, competence, conscience, commitment and comportment while
performing the health assessment and physical examination.
 Examine the role of the professional nurse in performing health assessments.
 Demonstrate professional behavior in performing health assessments
Clinical Portion
Clinical Practice and Prevention
 Demonstrates acquired knowledge and skills necessary to perform a health
assessment and physical examination on a healthy adult.
Communication
 Demonstrates individualized, clear, effective, respectful and compassionate
communication while performing the health assessment and physical examination.
 Documents assessment findings using correct terminology.
Critical reasoning

Integrates multiple ways of knowing and the ability to use critical thinking to relate
health assessment and physical examination findings to the health status of
individuals across the life span.
Professionalism and professional Values
 Demonstrates professional values through the affective characteristics of caring with
compassion, competence, conscience, commitment and comportment while
performing the health assessment and physical examination.
 Demonstrates professional behavior in performing health assessments.
Global health
 Examines one’s own personal values, beliefs, and practices as compared to diverse
populations in a global society.
Course Structure /Approach :
Students are expected to proceed through the course in the same way they would in a
course offered in any other delivery modality. The course follows a 10 week format.
The didactic course is delivered online and uses print, electronic, video, and multimedia
resources. The 45 clinical hours for the course will be accomplished in weekly clinical
labs. The labs will provide active learning to apply acquired knowledge and build
assessment skills through repeated practice of system specific history taking and
physical examinations. Clinical Lab faculty will perform formative evaluations during
each weekly lab session and provide students with personalized feedback to facilitate
their learning. Students will perform 2 systems check-offs and submit 2 clinical lab
papers, in SOAP format, which document the comprehensive subjective and objective
health assessments of 2 different adults. Students will also complete a final physical
examination skill check-off and write up.
Textbooks Required :
D’Amico, D. & Barbarito, C. (2012). Health and physical assessment in nursing (2nd
Ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
Please obtain any anatomy and physiology text for assistance with this course.
Course Outline:
June 4th – June 10th
Introduction to assessment
Culture
Psychosocial assessment
Physical assessment
Tools & Techniques
General health survey
Pain assessment
The health history
QUIZ 1
Required:
D’Amico & Barbarito Chapters 1, 2, 4 – 8 & 10
Recommended:
Chapters 3, 28 & 29
6/4 Lab:
Orientation, Vital Sign (V/S) & Interviewing with Genogram Practice
June 10th – June 17th
Cardiovascular / Peripheral Vascular
Systems
QUIZ 2
Required:
D’Amico & Barbarito Chapters 17 & 18 Chapter 28
6/11 Lab:
Speed V/S, Cardiovascular Assessment & Practice.
June 17th – June 24th
Respiratory System
QUIZ 3
Required:
D’Amico & Barbarito Chapter 15 Chapter 29
6/18 Lab:
Speed V/S, Respiratory Assessment & Practice
June 24th – July 1st
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
6/25 Lab:
Speed V/S, Cardiovascular & Respiratory Check-offs
*Paper 1 Due 7/1/12 at 11:59PM
July 1st – July 8th
Skin, Hair, & Nails HEENT
Required:
D’Amico & Barbarito Chapters 11, 12,13 & 14
7/2 Lab:
Skin, Hair, Nails & HEENT Assessment & Practice
July 8th – July 15th
Abdominal / Gastrointestinal / Genitourinary Systems
QUIZ 4
Required:
D’Amico & Barbarito Chapters 9, 16,19, 20, 21 & 22
7/9 Lab:
Abdominal / Gastrointestinal Assessment & Practice
July 15th – July 22nd
Skin, Hair, & Nails; HEENT; Abdomen
7/16 Lab:
Integument / HEENT / Abdominal / Gastrointestinal Check-offs
*Paper 2 Due 7/22/12 at 11:59PM
July 22nd – July 29th
Musculoskeletal System &
Neurologic System
Required:
D’Amico & Barbarito Chapter 23 & 24
7/23 Lab:
Musculoskeletal / Neurological / Final Assessments & Practice
July 29th – August 8th
Neurologic System (continued) &
Hospitalized Client
QUIZ 5
Required:
D’Amico & Barbarito Chapter 24
Review: Chapters 28 & 29
7/30 Lab:
Head-to-Toe Assessment Practice/ Hospitalized Client Assessments
**Final Check-offs August 8th with Clinical Lab Faculty
Assessment of Student Learning:
Quizzes 5 Quizzes x 10 points =
50 points
Lab
2 Physical Assessment Check-offs x 5 points =
2 Check-off Documentation x 10 points =
10 points
20 points
Final Physical Assessment Check-off x 15 points =
Final Check-off Documentation x 5 points =
15 points
5 points
Lab Final
Total = 100 points
Grades will be calculated as follows:
A = 93-100
B = 84-92
C = 78-83
F = 77 and below
*Points are not rounded up in this course.
Course must be completed to progress in the program
A total score of 78% or better is required to pass the NUR 332 course.
You must pass the final assessment with 78% or better to pass the course.
Course Policies:
Retests/makeup tests:
There are NO make-ups – please plan accordingly. No late assignment or assessment
will be accepted, except under exceptional circumstances, with advance approval by
faculty. Exceptional is defined as an extreme situation, such as a life-threatening illness.
Approval of any such request is at the discretion of the clinical and lead faculty. The
student must have confirmation of approval, from the instructor, in writing, before
assuming that delayed submission of an assignment is acceptable.
Attendance:
Attendance in the clinical laboratory is mandatory. Refer to the nursing clinical
attendance policies in the student handbook. You need to bring your stethoscope, pen,
text, penlight, and watch with second hand/readout to every lab.
Academic Classroom Conduct
The School of Nursing has a responsibility to the public and to the nursing profession;
thus, it reserves the privilege of retaining only those students who, in the judgment of
the faculty, demonstrate high academic standards.
These academic standards include honesty, accountability and accepting responsibility
for one's own work.
Examples of unacceptable behavior are plagiarism and cheating. Failure to properly cite
references and quotations may be interpreted as plagiarism, so be certain to follow APA
6th edition citation and referencing rules.
Refer to School of Nursing Student Handbook for further clarification of these concepts,
Arizona State Board of Nursing regulations and/or Code of Ethics for information on
academic integrity, confidentiality statement and professional conduct.
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~nurse-p/docs/BSN_Handbook.pdf
Classroom Management:
 All individuals working in this course are expected to maintain respectful and
professional behaviors in all aspects of their work and interpersonal
communications. Faculty, fellow students, and other individuals associated with
this course should not be subjected to words, actions, or behaviors that are, in
any way, disruptive, rude, disrespectful, or challenging to others. Inappropriate
behavior includes things such as rude, confrontational, threatening, or abusive
verbal or electronic communications; arriving late or leaving early from classes;
using cell phones during class; aggressive or disrespectful nonverbal behaviors
such as eye-rolling or glaring. These behaviors are not acceptable in professional
nursing activities or educational settings.
 Upon observing or being informed of such behavior, faculty will intervene to stop
the behavior and counsel individuals as appropriate. The lead faculty for the
course may be contacted for assistance, if needed.
 Due to the private and personal nature of information being discussed in the
clinical lab, confidentiality and privacy will be consistently maintained.
 The syllabus is subject to change only with advance notice and in accordance
with NAU policies.
Boundaries: No GU/GYN, rectal, or breast exams are to be done with anyone at
any time. This is a boundary violation and will not be allowed under any
circumstances. If any of these exams are done or documented, a failing grade for the
entire course will be posted. The student will also be referred to the NAU School of
Nursing Assistant Dean and Student Affairs Committee due to a breach of the Code of
Ethics for professional nursing.
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
POLICY STATEMENTS
SAFE ENVIRONMENT POLICY
NAU’s Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy seeks to prohibit discrimination
and promote the safety of all individuals within the university. The goal of this policy is
to prevent the occurrence of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national
origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status and to prevent sexual
harassment, sexual assault or retaliation by anyone at this university.
You may obtain a copy of this policy from the college dean’s office or from the NAU’s
Affirmative Action website http://home.nau.edu/diversity/. If you have concerns about
this policy, it is important that you contact the departmental chair, dean’s office, the
Office of Student Life (928-523-5181), or NAU’s Office of Affirmative Action (928-5233312).
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a documented disability, you can arrange for accommodations by contacting
Disability Resources (DR) at 523-8773 (voice)or 523-6906 (TTY), dr@nau.edu (email)or 928-523-8747 (fax).Students needing academic accommodations are required
to register with DR and provide required disability related documentation. Although you
may request an accommodation at any time, in order for DR to best meet your individual
needs, you are urged to register and submit necessary documentation
(www.nau.edu/dr) 8 weeks prior to the time you wish to receive accommodations. DR is
strongly committed to the needs of student with disabilities and the promotion of
Universal Design. Concerns or questions related to the accessibility of programs and
facilities at NAU may be brought to the attention of DR or the Office of Affirmative Action
and Equal Opportunity (523-3312).
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD
Any study involving observation of or interaction with human subjects that originates at
NAU—including a course project, report, or research paper—must be reviewed and
approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects in
research and research-related activities.
The IRB meets monthly. Proposals must be submitted for review at least fifteen
working days before the monthly meeting. You should consult with your course
instructor early in the course to ascertain if your project needs to be reviewed by the
IRB and/or to secure information or appropriate forms and procedures for the IRB
review. Your instructor and department chair or college dean must sign the application
for approval by the IRB. The IRB categorizes projects into three levels depending on
the nature of the project: exempt from further review, expedited review, or full board
review. If the IRB certifies that a project is exempt from further review, you need not
resubmit the project for continuing IRB review as long as there are no modifications in
the exempted procedures.
A copy of the IRB Policy and Procedures Manual is available in each department’s
administrative office and each college dean’s office or on their website:
http://www.research.nau.edu/compliance/irb/index.aspx If you have questions, contact
the IRB Coordinator in the Office of the Vice President for Research at 928-523-8288 or
523-4340.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The university takes an extremely serious view of violations of academic integrity. As
members of the academic community, NAU’s administration, faculty, staff and students
are dedicated to promoting an atmosphere of honesty and are committed to maintaining
the academic integrity essential to the education process. Inherent in this commitment
is the belief that academic dishonesty in all forms violates the basic principles of
integrity and impedes learning. Students are therefore responsible for conducting
themselves in an academically honest manner.
Individual students and faculty members are responsible for identifying instances of
academic dishonesty. Faculty members then recommend penalties to the department
chair or college dean in keeping with the severity of the violation. The complete policy
on academic integrity is in Appendix G of NAU’s Student Handbook
http://home.nau.edu/images/userimages/awf/9476/ACADEMIC%20DISHONESTY.pdf
ACADEMIC CONTACT HOUR POLICY
The Arizona Board of Regents Academic Contact Hour Policy (ABOR Handbook, 2-206,
Academic Credit) states: “an hour of work is the equivalent of 50 minutes of class
time…at least 15 contact hours of recitation, Lecture, discussion, testing or evaluation,
seminar, or colloquium as well as a minimum of 30 hours of student homework is
required for each unit of credit.”
The reasonable interpretation of this policy is that for every credit hour, a student should
expect, on average, to do a minimum of two additional hours of work per week (e.g.,
preparation, homework, studying).
PROPOSED SYLLABUS:
Northern Arizona University
College of Health and Human Services
School of Nursing
NUR 332
Nursing Assessment and Process
Credits:
2 credits/ 30 clock hours (online)
Semester:
Summer
Instructor:
Kate Watkins, MSN, RN, CPNP, CNE
Nursing Bldg. #214
Office Hours: TBA
Course Prerequisites:
Admission to the accelerated nursing program, NUR
330.
Co-requisites:
NUR 319, 319L, 331, 332L, 333, 333L
Catalogue Description:
Study of fundamental nursing process knowledge while learning cognitive and
psychomotor skills in health history, assessments, and physical exams across the life
span.
Course Description:
This course builds on pre-professional course requirements to develop skills needed for
physical, psychosocial, cultural/spiritual assessment, health history and health
promotion across the lifespan. Integrating a thorough assessment builds a foundation
for holistic care planning and implementation by the professional nurse, and is a critical
element of the nursing process.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The successful student:
Clinical Practice and Prevention
1. Examines the relationship of health assessment to health promotion while
identifying strategies to promote wellness.
2. Examines the bio-psycho-social, developmental, cultural and spiritual dimensions
of the individual when assessing and planning care.
Communication
3. Applies professional communication in learning situations.
Critical reasoning
4. Integrates multiple ways of knowing and the ability to use critical thinking to relate
health assessment and physical examination findings to the health status of
individuals across the life span.
Leadership
5. Examines the importance of environmental factors and constraints in the
assessment of health.
Professionalism and professional Values
6. Examines the role of the professional nurse in performing health assessments.
7. Demonstrates professional behavior in performing health assessments.
Global health
8. Examines one’s own personal values, beliefs, and practices as compared to
diverse populations in a global society.
Course Structure and Approach: Theory course provides a foundation for practice
and application in the concurrent lab section, NUR 332L. This is an asynchronous
online course using a variety of teaching and learning approaches.
Required textbook:
D’Amico, D. & Barbarito, C. (2012). Health and physical assessment in nursing (2nd
Ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
Optional materials/references:
Any anatomy and physiology textbook.
Course outline:
Date
Content Topic
(weekly clinical lab topic in
italics)
Week 1 Orientation to course
Assessment techniques &
integration in nursing process
Vital Signs and pain assessment
Required
Readings
Quizzes/Case
Studies
D’Amico text:
Chapters 1, 2, 4-7
Week 2
Developmental tasks & health
promotion; intro to genomics,
culture care, interviewing/health
history
VS & Practice history taking
D’Amico text:
Chapters 8-10
Case Study #1
Week 3
Skin, Hair & Nails
VS
Skin, Hair & Nails
Documentation
D’Amico text:
Chapter 11
Quiz #1
Week 4
Head, Neck & Related
Lymphatics
VS
Head, Neck & related
Lymphatics Documentation
D’Amico text:
Chapter 12
Paper #1
Week 5
Eye, Ear, Nose, Mouth, and
Throat
VS
Eye, Ear, Nose, Mouth, and
Throat Documentation
D’Amico text:
Chapters 13-14
Case Study #2
Week 6
Respiratory System
Beasts and Axillae
VS
Respiratory System and Beasts
and Axillae Documentation
D’Amico text:
Chapters 15-16
Week 7
The Cardiovascular (CV)
D’Amico text:
Quiz #2
Date
Content Topic
(weekly clinical lab topic in
italics)
System
Peripheral Vascular (PV)
System
VS
CV and Peripheral Vascular
(PV) System Documentation
Required
Readings
Week 8
Abdomen
Urinary System
Male and Female
Reproduction Systems
VS
Urinary System and
Reproductive System
Documentation
D’Amico text:
Chapters 19-22
Paper #2
Week 9
Musculoskeletal (MS) System
And Neurological System
VS
Musculoskeletal (MS) System
And Neurological System
Documentation
The Hospitalized Client
Lifespan Issues
The Complete Health
Assessment
Final Assessment Check-offs for
332L
D’Amico text:
Chapters 23-24
Case Study #3
D’Amico text:
Chapters 25, 27-29
Quiz #3
Paper #3
Week
10
Quizzes/Case
Studies
Chapters 17-18
Assessment of Student Learning:
Methods of Assessment:
Various measures and approaches to assessment of learning and demonstration of
mastery are included in this course and the related lab section. Quizzes and case
studies provide formative assessment and feedback to students as well as measure
basic learning.
Course Accountability
There are 16 points for students to earn based on accountability. There is 1 point
allotted per week. Students will earn a 0.5 - 1 point reduction
unprofessional/inappropriate communication in the course.
Assessments:
On-line Quizzes:
3 Quizzes @ 15 points each
On-line Case Studies:
3 Case Studies @ 15 points each
Course Accountability
Total Didactic Points =
45 points
45 points
10
100
Grading system:
Calculation of the course grade will be as follows:
Course grades will be awarded following the standard School of Nursing grading scale:
93-100%
A
84-92%
B
78%-83%
C
Less than 78%
F
Course policies:
Retests/makeup tests: Online quizzes are offered only during scheduled weeks, but
are open for the week. Alternate scheduling of a quiz will be provided only in
extraordinary circumstances and require arrangements with faculty prior to scheduled
quiz date. Re-tests are not offered.
Attendance: Your participation is expected in this online course. You are responsible
for checking the Blackboard site regularly to stay up to date on announcements,
summaries, and learning materials.
Statement on Plagiarism, cheating, academic dishonesty:
Please refer to Appendix G of the NAU Student Handbook
(http://home.nau.edu/images/userimages/awf/9476/ACADEMIC%20DISHONESTY.pdf)
for definitions, policies, penalties, and procedures related to various forms of academic
dishonesty.
University policies: Please review the following policies available on the Northern
Arizona University Policy Statement website
http://www4.nau.edu/avpaa/UCCPolicy/plcystmt.html
1. Safe Environment Policy
2. Students with Disabilities Policy
3. Institutional Review Board Policy
4. Academic Contact Hour Policy
Sensitive Course Materials Policy