College of Nursing
UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing
NURS 211: Health Assessment
Fall 2013
Course number and title:
NURS 211 - Health Assessment
Number of credits:
Three credits
Clinical Faculty:
Dr. James A. Bockeloh, DNP, FNP-BC, APNP, RN
Clinical Instructor
Email: Bockeloh@uwm.edu
UWM Office 522, Cell 262-880-6415
Office hours by appointment
Lab Instructors:
Ruth Treisman, MSN, RN, APRN-BC
CUN 580 – 414-229-3204 (ofc); 414-405-9006 (cell)
treisra@uwm.edu
Lec: Wednesday 1500-1650 LAP N101
Lab: Please see schedule
Kristen Swanson, MSN, APNP
CUN 565 – 414-229-3079
swansokr@uwm.edu
Tina Nielsen MS, RN, ACNS-BC
Clinical Instructor
Office 522----Cell 2624885298
nielsent@uwm.edu
Office hours: By appointment
Susan Theil, RN
Email: smit2255@uwm.ed
Level Coordinator:
Rochelle Nelson, MS, CNS
Clinical Assistant Professor
UW-Milwaukee/UW-Parkside Consortial Nursing Program
(262)595-2179 Parkside office
(414)229-6050 UWM office
rmnelson@uwm.edu
Course Description:
The course Health Assessment is designed to help you apply concepts and skills used in
comprehensively assessing the health status of individuals. History taking, physical
examination techniques, developmental, and other assessments are presented through auto
tutorial teaching methods, lecture demonstrations, laboratory practice with return
demonstrations, and independent study.
The components of the history and physical exam, taken collectively, provide the basis for
comprehensively assessing health along five dimensions: sense of well-being, burden of
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symptoms, emotional status, social or role function, and physical function. In addition to
learning the range of normal in health assessment, you will begin to identify frequently occurring
health concerns or problems of individuals encountered by baccalaureate nursing graduates.
You will utilize a framework of body systems across the lifespan of individuals who are
representative of diverse groups. You will be encouraged to view health as a process as well as
an outcome of health services delivered in a wide range of patient care endeavors and health
care systems.
The course is organized around two major components:
 Lecture (2 hours weekly)
 Practice laboratory with return demonstration (2 hours weekly)
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the learning experiences, you will be able to:
1. Complete and record a comprehensive health history.
2. Perform physical examination procedures for assessing multiple body/organ systems.
3. Differentiate between the components included in a comprehensive health history of a well
versus a sick patient, and of patients across the lifespan.
4. Document physical examination findings relative to the techniques of observation/inspection,
palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
5. Identify age-related differences in the physical examination of patients.
6. Differentiate between normal and abnormal physical examination findings.
Textbook/Materials:
Jarvis, C. (2012). Physical Examination & Health Assessment (6th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier.
The materials for this course are included in the FCP 1 bundle. You will also need a
stethoscope which is not included in the bundle - you will receive information on how to
obtain a stethoscope through the UWM Nursing Student Association. You can also
obtain a stethoscope on your own – please note that regardless from where you order,
your stethoscope needs to have both diaphragm and bell functions for this course, and
for your clinical experiences.
Methods of Instruction: Lecture and lab. Lab will be the chance for you to engage in hands-on
practice of concepts you will be learning through your readings, your review of the ATI website
skills videos, and what you learn in lecture. “Lecture” is probably not an appropriate term for
this class because it implies a one-way direction of learning. Please feel free to ask questions of
me before, during, and after class, or via email and I will do my best to answer them to your
satisfaction. I will also ask YOU questions as a way of encouraging the growth of your thought
processes and critical thinking. Both lecture and lab are safe environments to ask questions so
please ASK! I firmly believe that we all teach each other and we all learn from each other.
Methods of Evaluation: Grades will be determined according to the percent of total points
accrued, using the grading scale established by the CON. There will not be any “curving” of
grades. As a professional courtesy, I expect you to notify me if you will not be in lecture, or
notify your lab instructor if you will not be in their lab on a particular day. Attendance will be
taken in lab on a weekly basis. Excessive absences and missed deadlines in lecture or lab will
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impair your ability to do well in this course. If you are having difficulties with something in
lecture, I expect you to come to me to discuss it - if the trouble is in lab, then please speak with
your lab instructor first. We cannot help you if we are unaware that you are struggling. If
around the midterm point in the semester I feel you are not achieving to your potential as
indicated by your overall performance to date in lecture and/or, I will ask for a conference with
you to discuss what will need to take place to facilitate your learning and improve your grade.
Assignments and quizzes: There will be six (6) quizzes throughout the semester and the dates
are on your weekly schedule. Quizzes will be available for you to take on the D2L website on
the specified dates. Quizzes will be worth 25 points each and will consist of 25 multiple choice
questions. You must have an average quiz and final lecture exam score of 79% or greater
in order to pass the course regardless of your average in lab. You can make-up one quiz if
extenuating circumstances prevent you from coming to lecture. If you need a make-up quiz, you
must have notified me of your absence PRIOR to class, via either email or phone. Make-up
quizzes occur during the week everyone else took it in class at a time mutually agreeable
between the instructor and the student. Failure to make up a missed quiz will result in a score
of zero for that quiz. If you have already taken a make-up quiz and miss another quiz, that
second missed quiz, and any subsequent missed quizzes will all receive a grade of zero.
You will be assigned a health history write-up and a physical exam write-up (see due dates
on schedule). Both assignments are posted on D2L and should be submitted to the designated
drop box. Hard copies of these assignments will not be accepted. Each assignment is worth 35
points. Late work submitted to the drop box will be accepted but your grade will be
reduced 5 points for each day the assignment is late.
Additionally, you will need to perform two accurate and efficient focused assessments (please
see schedule). You must score a 79% or greater on each of these two assessments –
failure to do so means that you fail the course regardless of your quiz average in lecture.
A rubric for this practical can be found in this syllabus packet and in the content section of the
D2L site. For this mastery, you will be allowed to bring notes (to be used during the exams
sparingly) – these notes will be limited to one side of an 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.
Exams: There will not be a midterm exam in this course. Your midterm grade will be calculated
based on your total points earned out of the points available to date. There will be a
comprehensive final exam given on 12/14/13 3:00pm (room TBA). Due to University
policy, you will be unable to change this exam time unless you experience a conflict with
another class.
Lab Specifics
Each lab period will begin with a brief rundown of the assessments you’ll be doing that day.
After that, there will be a short, instructor-led demonstration of the assessment techniques.
Then, it will be your time to practice and show us what you know! Your instructor will be
circulating through the lab during this practice time – please ask questions! Have them watch
you as you practice your skills and ask them how you can do something more effectively. They
love to help and they want to see all of you succeed!!
It is essential that you come to lab prepared. Assessment modules for adult and pediatric
physical assessment by ATI will be utilized for this course, available on line. Students will
receive access instructions and ATI account sign up information before lab sessions start, given
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during orientation class. You are expected to view the assigned lab material for the day
BEFORE coming to lab. Additionally, you must bring your lab skills/check off sheets
(available on D2L) to your lab on a weekly basis – completion of these will serve as evidence of
your progress in the lab portion of this course.
Attendance in your assigned lab is expected and required. Your lab only meets once per week
and your attendance and participation in the activities for the day are essential to your success
in this class. If you need to be absent from lab due to illness, injury, or an emergency, it is your
responsibility to contact your lab instructor, preferably before the lab you’ll be missing. If that is
not possible, then contact your lab instructor within 12 hours of your missed lab time. One
make-up lab will be allowed and will be made up at your instructor’s discretion.
The following rubric will be used to determine the lab point distribution:
Per week assessment of lab participation (10 lab weeks – can earn up to 2 points per week):
2 points = active, engaged, asks appropriate questions, prepared, used full lab time allotted
1 point = occasionally active, moderately prepared, somewhat engaged, left early without
practicing, or practiced minimally and left early
0 points = unexcused absence; disinterested, low activity level, unprepared
Total Class and Study Time
This class consists of one 2 Hour lecture, and one 2 Hour Lab session per week. To prepare
adequately for this class and lab time, the student should plan at least 4-5 hours of preparation
per week for each hour of class time. So, for N211, the student should allow a minimum of 16 –
20 hours per week of study and preparation time.
Focused Assessments
For this competency, which will take place at the end of the term, you will perform two focused
assessments on your lab partner – these will be graded by your lab instructor. In order to
progress to the focused assessments components of this class, you will need to successfully
demonstrate your skills in your weekly lab check offs for the semester; these weekly check offs
must be completed successfully before the scheduled focused assessments begin. You must
score a 79% or greater on each of these two focused assessments – failure to do so will
result in your having to retest with me as your evaluator. If you do not pass your retest
with a 79% or greater on each focused assessment you will fail the course regardless of
your quiz average in lecture. A rubric for this practical can be found in this syllabus packet
and in the content section of the D2L site. For this mastery, you will be allowed to bring some
notes (to be used during the exams sparingly) – these notes will be limited to one side of an 81/2 x 11 sheet of paper.
Lab Instructors/Sections/Days/Times
211
UW Milw
Health Assessment
Lec 401 3-4:50 W
Lab 801
T 1-2:50
Lab 802
Tues 1-2 :50
Lab 803 Tues. 3-4 :50
Bockeloh
Swanson
Treisman
Nielsen, Tina
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UW
Parkside
Lab 804
Tues 3-4:50
Lab 805 Thurs 1-2:50
Lab 806 Thurs 1-2:50
Lab 807 Thurs 3-4:50
Lec Wed 9-10:50
Templin, Mary
Swanson, Kristin
Treisman
Theil, Susan
Fontana
Lab 001 Thurs 8-10
Lab 002 Thurs 10-12
Lab 003 Wed 12-2
Fontana
Fontana
Fontana
Academic integrity statement and Academic misconduct:
Students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity in all course activities. Academic
integrity requires honesty concerning all aspects of academic work including:
• Correct procedures for citing sources of information, words and ideas.
• Ways to properly credit collaborative work with project team or study group members.
• Strategies for planning and preparing for exams, papers, projects and presentations.
Students are encouraged to consult with faculty regarding any questions about appropriate
behaviors to maintain academic integrity. Any violation of academic integrity will result in
sanctions consistent with university policy.
The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs serves as the College of Nursing investigating officer
for academic misconduct. Please contact Dr. Kim Litwack (litwack@uwm.edu) if you suspect
academic misconduct. UWM policies about the process for investigating and acting on
academic misconduct can be found at:
http://www4.uwm.edu/acad_aff/policy/academicmisconduct.cfm
Lecture and Lab Schedule – NURS 211
Fall 2013
Evaluated Activity
Lecture quizzes x 6
Lab points
Final comprehensive exam
Focused assessments
Health History Write Up
Physical Exam Write Up
Number of Points
150
20 total
100
60 total
35
35
Grading Scale as per CON Policy:
A 95-100%
C77-78%
A- 93-94%
D+
75-76%
B+ 91-92%
D
72-74%
B 87-90%
D70-71%
B- 85-86%
F
<70%
C 79-82%
Total points for course: 400
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LECTURE & QUIZ
DATES
LECTURE
CONTENT
(Text readings)
Chapters 1-4
Intro to class
Taking a health
history
LAB DATES:
LAB CONTENT
SPECIAL
STUFF PRN
Sept 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Intro to the lab
environment &
“getting to know
you” activity
For all lab
sessions,
prep should
include
review of
appropriate
ATI modules
Week 2 – Sept 11
Chapters 9 & 10
Vital signs
Sept 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 16
Week 3 – Sept 18
Chapters 12 &
13
Skin, Hair,
Nails, Head,
Neck with
Lymphatics
Chapters 14-16
Eyes, Ears,
Nose, Sinuses,
Mouth, and
Throat
Chapter 23
Neurological
Sept 17, 18, 19,
20, 23
Practice history
taking; nursing
dx;
subject/objective
data
Practice vitals;
hands on
otoscope &
ophthalmoscope
use
Week 6 – Oct 9
Chapter 18
Thorax and
Lungs
Oct 8, 9, 10, 11,
14
Week 7 – Oct 16
Chapter 19
Heart and Neck
Vessels
Oct 15, 16, 17,
18, 21
Practice thorax &
lungs
Week 8 – Oct 23
Chapter 20
PV and Lower
Lymphatics
Oct 22, 23, 24,
25, 28
Practice heart &
neck vessels
Week 1 – Sept 4
QUIZ 1
Week 4 – Sept 25
Week 5 – Oct 2
Sept 24, 25, 26,
27, 30
Practice skin,
hair, nails,
head/lymphatics
October 1, 2, 3,
4, 7
Practice eyes,
ears, nose,
sinuses, mouth &
throat
Practice neuro
QUIZ 2
QUIZ 3
Week 9 – Oct 30
QUIZ 4
Assessment of
the Pediatric
Client
Oct 29, 30, 31,
Nov 1, 4
Health history
due 10/15 in
the drop box
This week lab:
practice heart
and neck
vessels
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(no assigned
readings)
Week 11 – Nov 6
Week 12 – Nov 13
Quiz 5
Week 13 – Nov 20
Week 14 – Dec 4
QUIZ 6
Week 15 – Dec 11
All labs: practice
PV and lower
lymphatics; catch
up day for check
offs; practice
integration of all
content to date
Chapters 21 &
22
Musculoskeletal
& Abdominal
No lecture after
the quiz – time
given back to
you to work on
your PE write
up
Chapters 17;
24-26
Breasts and
axillae,
Male/Female
genitalia, and
Rectal
Nov 5, 6, 7, 8, 11
Nov 19, 20, 21,
22, 26
Practice
integration and
focused
assessment
content; last lab
time for check
offs
CON
Convocation
Tuesday
Nov 19
AllStudents
and faculty
mandatory
Chapters 29 &
30
Assessments of
the Elderly and
Pregnant
Clients
Focused
assessments
scheduled Dec
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9
Focused
assessments
scheduled Dec 2,
3, 4, 5
Physical
Exam due
12/6 in the
drop box
Quiz review to
prep for final
exam
Focused
assessments
scheduled Dec
9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Focused
assessments
scheduled Dec 9,
10, 11, 12
Nov 12, 13, 14,
15, 18
Catch up day for
check offs;
practice
integration
Practice
musculoskeletal
and abdominal
COMPREHENSIVE
FINAL EXAM:
Dec 14, 2013
3:00PM
Room TBA
The College of Nursing reserves the right to modify, amend, or change this syllabus as the
curriculum or program requires.
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Information for students who are taking a course that uses Desire2Learn (D2L) for its Web site
Materials for this course are available on a course Web site. You may see these materials there anytime you wish,
using a standard Web browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer. You may print it (or parts of it) at your
convenience.
In order to find and browse the course Web site for this course:
1. Call up your Web browser (either Netscape or Internet Explorer), and type in the following Web address:
http://D2L.uwm.edu
2. Please notice that this Web address does not include a "www" in it anywhere!
3. This will bring up the Desire2Learn Welcome screen. You will see a location to enter your Username and
Password.
4. Your Username is your Alpha/Panthermail username (the same username as your campus email), without
the "@uwm.edu" part. Do not hit Enter after you have typed in your username! Either hit the Tab key on
your keyboard, or use the mouse to click in the box next to Password. Your password is the 9-digit number
on your student ID card, without any dashes or spaces. Reread this: your password is not your email
password; it is your student ID#. Once you have typed in your Student ID#, then please hit Enter.
5. You should then see a welcome screen. You will see on the screen a list of My Milwaukee Courses: that
use Desire2Learn (there will be more than one title if you are registered in more than one course that is
using Desire2Learn). The course title is a hot link, so if you click your mouse on the title it will take you
directly to your Web course site.
6. If you have any difficulty getting on the course Web site, please close down your Web browser completely
and open it up again, then try logging on again using the instructions above. If you know your username, but
have forgotten your password, you may click on the underlined “Forgot your password?” on the Have an
Account? Login Here screen, and have your password sent automatically to your UWM email account. If
you still are unable to get on the course Web site, please contact the Help desk as described below.
7. When you are finished looking around the site, always "Logout" completely if you are in a computer lab, or
at least shut down your Web browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer) completely, since otherwise the next
person who uses the machine will be using your course account!
What to do if you have problems with Desire2Learn (D2L)
If you have problems with a student login (e.g., you forgot your password, or if you just can't get on) or if you
run into any other typical Desire2Learn difficulties, help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may
do one of the following:

send an email to help@uwm.edu

pick up a phone and call 229-4040 (or 4040 on a campus phone)
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College of Nursing

go to Bolton 225 (this lab is not open all day -- check for specific hours)

if you are calling from off campus but within Wisconsin, call 1-877-381-3459
University Policies and Procedures
Academic Misconduct
The University has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity and to develop procedures to
deal effectively with instances of academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for the honest completion
and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect of others’ academic
endeavors. Student academic misconduct procedures are specified in Chapter UWS 14 and Faculty
Document No. 1686 and can be found at http://www4.uwm.edu/acad_aff/policy/academicmisconduct.cfm .
Accommodation for Religious Observances
Students will be allowed to complete examinations or other requirements that are missed because of a
religious observance. (UWM Faculty Document #1853)
Complaint Procedure
Students may direct complaints to the head of the academic unit or department in which the complaint
occurs. If the complaint allegedly violates a specific university policy, it may be directed to the head of the
department or academic unit in which the complaining occurred or to the appropriate university office
responsible for enforcing the policy. All complaints should be directed to the Professor first. If you are
unsatisfied with results of this meeting, then the next step is to go to the Professor's department chair.
Discriminatory Conduct Policy
The University will not tolerate discriminatory conduct as defined: 1) intentional conduct, either verbal or
physical by a member of the faculty, staff or student body, which 2) occurs on property under the
jurisdiction of the Regents or under circumstances where an affiliation with UWM is significant in the
occurrence; and 3) is predicated on considerations of any of the following: race, color, national origin,
creed, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or other status protected under the law;
and 4) which has the purpose and effect of adversely affecting any aspect or condition of an individual's
education, employment, housing or participation in a university activity. (UWM Faculty Document #1670)
Please be respectful of yourself, your peers, and the Professor. Disciplinary action for Non-Academic
misconduct will be filed for anyone violating this policy.
Financial Obligation
The submission of your registration form and your subsequent assignment to classes obligates you to pay
the fee-tuition for those classes or to withdraw your registration in writing no later than . . . (date specified in
the Schedule of Classes). It is important to both you and the University to make payment on time. A
complete description of UWM Fee Facts may be obtained from the Department of Enrollment Services.
Grade Appeal Procedure
A student may appeal a grade on the grounds that is based on a capricious or arbitrary decision of the
course instructor. Such an appeal shall follow the established procedures adopted by the department,
college, or school in which the course resides. These procedures are available in writing from the
respective department chairperson or the Academic Dean of the School. (UWM Faculty Document #1243)
Inclement Weather
UWM students should contact the University at 229-4444 (UW-Parkside, 595-2345) to ascertain the status
of class cancellation due to inclement weather. Even when classes are canceled, University offices and
services remain available, unless the entire University is closed by the Governor.
Incompleteness
A notation of “Incomplete” may be given in lieu of a final grade to a student who has carried a subject
successfully until the end of a semester, but who, because of illness or other unusual and substantiated
cause beyond the student’s control, has been unable to take or complete the final examination or to
complete some limited amount of term work. An incomplete is not given unless you prove to the instructor
that you were prevented from completing course requirements for just cause as indicated above. (UWM
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College of Nursing
Faculty Document #1558 and #1602)
Participation by students with Disabilities
If you need special accommodations in order to meet any of the requirements of this course, please contact
me as soon as possible.
Safety
Safety techniques and strategies are described in a School of Nursing Brochure distributed to all nursing
students in Spring 1994 and subsequently to new students. Copies are available in the Office of Student
Affairs.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the University. It subverts the mission of
the University and threatens the careers, educational experience, and well-being of students, faculty, and
staff. The University will not tolerate behavior between or among members of the University community
which creates an unacceptable working environment. (UWM Faculty Document #1605)
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