UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
COLLEGE OF NURSING
COURSE SYLLABUS
SUMMER/2012
COURSE NUMBER
NUR 3069C – Section 7F36
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
Clinical Assistant Professor
alkelley@ufl.edu
HPNP
2221
352-273-6409
352-273-6422
cell 352-494-8053
Maryann Walker, PhD. ARNP
VAMC
352- 376-1611 X 5281
Courtesy Clinical Assistant Professor Trailer 3
cell 352- 871-4972
Maryann.Walker@va.gov
Room 121
NRC FACULTY
Sandra J. Knapp, PhD, CCRN, CNL HPNP 3212
Assistant Clinical Professor
sjknapp@ufl.edu
352 273-6319,
cell 352 260-2358
OFFICE HOURS
Thursday 1000-1200
Friday 1030-1230
Wednesday 1200-1400
Thursday 1300-1500
in HPNP4215
Tuesday 1000-1200
Charlene Krueger PhD, ARNP
Associate Professor
ckrueger@ufl.edu
HPNP 2228
352 273-6332
By Appointment
Laura Sutton, PhD, ACNS-BC
Clinical Assistant Professor
lsutton@ufl.edu
HPNP3228
352-273-6358
Tuesday 1000-1200
By Appointment
NUR3069C (7F36) Summer 2012 Derrico 5/7/12 Final Copy
NRC FACULTY continued
Bryan Weber PhD, ARNP
Associate Professor
bweber@ufl.edu
Saunjoo Yoon, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
yoon@ufl.edu
HPNP3221
HPNP3223
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Joyce Stechmiller, PhD, ACNP-BC, FAAN
Associate Professor
HPNP3230
Adult and Elderly Nursing
352 273-6327
Wednesday 0900-1100
352-273-6418
Friday 1030-1230
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
Tuesday
Wednesday
Time
0800-1215
1200-1500
1200-1600
Component
Lecture
Lab/Practice
Check-off weeks 3, 5, 9, 11, 12
Room
G103
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.
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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 1100-1200.
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
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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.
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
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
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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.8 for detailed schedule, concepts, & NRC activities)
LECTURE
TOPICS
ASSIGNMENTS:
FACULTY
DATES
READINGS & VIDEOS
5/15 Week 1
Introduction, Concepts
Jarvis: Chapter 1,3,4 &5
Derrico
Problem Solving
Ackley: Chapter 1
Communication
Schuster: Chapters 1, 2, & 3
Walker
5/22 Week 2
General Survey &
Jarvis: Chapter 8, 9, 10, 12
Derrico
Vital Signs assessment
Mosby Videos: Vital Signs: all
Pain assessment
Assessing pain
Skin, Hair, Nail assmnt.
Skin, hair, nails
5/29 Week 3
Derrico
EXAM 1
0800-0915
Computer Testing Center
0930 Head & Neck,
Jarvis: Chapter 13 & 16
Nose, Mouth, & Throat
Mosby Videos: Head, & neck,
assessment
Nose, Mouth & throat
Assessment of GS, VS,
Curtis
Pain in Children
Cultural Competence
Jarvis: Chapter 2
Stephen
6/5 Week 4
Growth &Development
Berman: pp 354-371
Curtis
Eyes & Ears
Jarvis: Chapter 14, & 15
Derrico
assessment
Mosby Videos: Eyes & Ears
6/12 Week 5
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, &18
Pulmonary assessment
Mosby Videos: Thorax & lungs
Derrico
6/19 Week 6
Derrico
EXAM 2 0800-0915
Computer Testing Center
0930 Cardiovascular
Jarvis: Chapter 19 & 20
assessment
Mosby Videos: Heart & neck
vessels, and peripheral vascular
SUMMER
BREAK
7/3 Week 7
CV & Pulmonary
Jarvis: Chapter Ch 19, 20
Curtis
assessment of children
child health content
Assessment of the
Jarvis: Chapter 29
Pregnant Woman
Kelley
7/10 Week 8
Abdomen Assessment
Jarvis: Chapter 11 & 21
Derrico
Nutritional Assess - Web Mosby Videos: Abdomen
Breast Assessment
Jarvis: Chpts 17, 24, 25, & 26
Curtis
GU Assess – Web .
Mosby Videos: Breast & GU
7/17 Week 9
Derrico
EXAM 3 0800-0915
Computer Testing Center
0930 Musculoskeletal
Jarvis: Chapter 22
Assessment
Mosby Videos: Musculoskeletal
7/24 Week 10
MS assessment of
Jarvis Chapters 6, 22 & 23
Curtis
children
Schuster Chapters 4, 5, & 8
Neurological Assessment Mosby Videos: Neurologic:
Derrico
Mental status & cranial nerves,
Motor & sensory
7/31 Week 11
Neuro assessment of
Jarvis: Chapter 6 & 23
Curtis
children
Jarvis: Chapter 27 & 28
Integrated Health Exam
Mosby videos: Head to Toe
Derrico
8/7 Week 12
Derrico
FINAL EXAM
Computer Testing Center
0800-1000
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WEEKLY CALENDAR
LECTURE & DATES
LAB
& DATES
Week 1:
Tuesday
5/15
Wednesday 5/16
Introduction .
1200 Problem Solving
NRC
Concepts & Problem Solving
1300 Interviewing skills and practice NRC
Communication
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 2:
Tuesday
5/22
Wednesday 5/23
Concepts: Oxygenation & Perfusion
Comfort/Pain
1200-1500
NRC
General Survey & Vital Sign assessment
Vital Signs, pain,
Pain Assessment
skin, hair, nails assessment practice
Skin, hair, & nail assessment
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1.Problem Solving & Documentation
2.Communication: Communicating with children
3.Temperature assessment
4. Electronic blood pressure & O2 Sat assessment
___________________________________________________________________________
Week 3:
Tuesday
5/29
Wednesday 5/30
0800 EXAM #1 - Computer Testing Center
0930 Concept: Perception
1200-1600 NRC
Head & Neck,
Vital Signs, pain
Nose, Mouth, & Throat assessment
skin, hair, nails Checkoff
Assessment of Vital signs & pain in children
Cultural Competence – Web
_____________________________________________________________________________
Week 4:
Tuesday
6/5
Wednesday 6/6
Concepts: Protection & Perception
Growth and Development
1200-1500
NRC
Eyes & Ears assessment
H,N, N, M,T, 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)
4. Vital signs assessment in Children
__________________________________________________________________
Week 5:
Tuesday
6/12
Concept: Perception
Assessment of Children:
Eyes/Ears, Head/neck,
Nose/Mouth/Throat.
Concept: Oxygenation
Pulmonary assessment
Wednesday
6/13
1200-1600 NRC
Head, Neck, Nose, Mouth, Throat
Eyes, & Ears Checkoff
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LECTURE & DATES
Week 6:
Tuesday
6/19
0800 EXAM #2 - Computer Testing Center
0930 Concepts: Oxygenation & Perfusion
Cardiovascular assessment
LAB
& DATES
Wednesday 6/20
1200-1500
NRC
CV & Pulmonary assessment practice
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1. Problem Solving & Documentation
2.Communication: Challenging
communication issues
3. Heart Sounds
4. Lung Sounds
______________________________________________________________________________
SUMMER BREAK
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 7:
Tuesday July 3
HOLIDAY JULY 4th
Concepts: Oxygenation & Perfusion:
Pulmonary & CV assessment of children
Assessment of the Pregnant Woman
_________________________________________________________________
Week 8:
Tuesday 7/10
Wednesday 7/11
Concepts: Nutrition & Elimination
Abdominal assessment
1200-1500
NRC
Nutritional assessment – Web
Abdomen, Breast/GU assessment practice
Concepts: Elimination & Sexuality
After practice stations (20 min.each)
Breast assessment & GU assessment
1. Problem Solving & Documentation
2. Communication: Communicating
pregnancy concerns
3. Breast Assessment
4.Assessment of the Pregnant Woman
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 9:
Tuesday 7/17
Wednesday 7/18
0800 EXAM #2 - Computer Testing Center
Concepts: Activity/Mobility
1200-1600 NRC
Musculoskeletal assessment
Cardiopulmonary & Abdominal
Assessment Checkoffs
__________________________________________________________________
Week 10:
Tuesday 7/24
Wednesday 7/25
Musculoskeletal assessment of children
Concepts: Cognition, Activity/Mobility, & Perception 1200-1500
NRC
Neurologic assessment
Neuro & MS assessment practice
After practice stations (20 min.each)
1. Problem Solving & documentation
2. Communication:Addressing personal
space/boundaries & personal touch
3. Normal Newborn Assessment
4.Assessment of the Postpartum Woman
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_____________________________________________________________________________
Week 11:
Tuesday 7/31
Wednesday 8/1
Concepts: Cognition, Activity/Mobility,
& Perception
Neurological assessment of children
Integrated Health Exam (IHE)
1200-1600 Neurologic and MS
Assessment Checkoff
______________________________________________________________________________
Week 12:
Tuesday 8/7
Wednesday 8/8
0800 EXAM #4 - Computer Testing Center
1200-1700 Integrated Health Exam
______________________________________________________________________________
Approved:
Academic Affairs Committee:
General Faculty:
UF Curriculum Committee:
02/03, 12/03; 09/09
02/03, 01/04; 09/09
05/03; 10/09
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