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NSC209Health Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Physical And Health Assessment

This course provides students with knowledge and skills in health and physical assessment across the lifespan. It focuses on interviewing, health history, comprehensive health assessment, and physical assessment of body systems. The course uses a systems approach for data collection, including subjective data from interviews and objective data from physical examinations. It aims to develop proficiency in health assessment skills for effective decision-making in nursing care.

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45h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Health AssessmentPhysical ExaminationNursing HistoryAssessment TechniquesData Collection

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Health History

2

Physical Examination

3

Assessment Techniques

4

Pain Assessment

5

Integumentary System Assessment

6

Neurological Assessment

7

Musculoskeletal Assessment

8

Head and Neck Assessment

9

Thorax and Lungs Assessment

10

Cardiovascular Assessment

11

Abdominal Assessment

12

Genitalia Assessment

13

Anus, Rectum, and Prostate Assessment

Total Topics13 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

NSC 102

NSC 103

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (6 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

computer-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

laboratory practical sessions

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

performance examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Registered Nurse

Apply your skills in this growing field

Nurse Practitioner

Apply your skills in this growing field

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Health Nurse

Apply your skills in this growing field

Healthcare Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

HospitalsClinicsLong-Term Care FacilitiesPublic Health DepartmentsHome Health Agencies

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: General Considerations

3h

Unit 1: An Overview of Health Assessment

3 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to understand the importance of health assessment in nursing.
  • •Identify the principles that guide health assessment practices.
  • •List and describe the components of a comprehensive health assessment.
  • •Discuss the role and responsibilities of a nurse in health assessment.
Week
2

Module 1: General Considerations

3h

Unit 2: Types of Assessment

3 study hours
  • •Distinguish between comprehensive, focused, and emergency assessments.
  • •Identify situations when each type of assessment is most appropriate.
  • •Discuss how to investigate and interpret client symptoms effectively.
  • •Practice symptom investigation techniques.
Week
3

Module 1: General Considerations

3h

Unit 3: Nursing Assessment of Pain

3 study hours
  • •Define pain and its dimensions, including physical, emotional, and psychological aspects.
  • •Learn how to assess pain using various scales and methods.
  • •Discuss the factors that influence pain perception and response.
  • •Practice pain assessment techniques.
Week
4

Module 2: Clinical Nursing Assessment

3h

Unit 4: Nursing History and Physical Examination

3 study hours
  • •Understand the components of a nursing history, including past health information and functional health patterns.
  • •Learn how to collect important health information through effective interviewing techniques.
  • •Discuss the different functional health patterns and their significance in nursing assessment.
  • •Practice taking a comprehensive nursing history.
Week
5

Module 2: Clinical Nursing Assessment

3h

Unit 5: General Survey and Physical Examination Techniques

3 study hours
  • •Describe the components of a general survey and its importance in physical assessment.
  • •Learn the four major physical examination techniques: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
  • •Discuss how to use each technique effectively to collect objective data.
  • •Practice physical examination techniques on different body systems.
Week
6

Module 3: Assessing the Individual from Head to Toe

3h

Unit 6: The integumentary, neurological and muscular system

3 study hours
  • •Describe the components of integumentary assessment.
  • •Describe the components of neurological assessment.
  • •Describe the components of musculoskeletal assessment.
Week
7

Module 3: Assessing the Individual from Head to Toe

3h

Unit 7: From the Shoulders Up

3 study hours
  • •Describe the components of head and neck assessment.
  • •Describe the components of eyes, ears, mouth, nose and pharnyx assessment.
Week
8

Module 3: Assessing the Individual from Head to Toe

3h

Unit 8: The Torso

3 study hours
  • •Describe the components of breasts and regional lymphatics assessment.
  • •Describe the components of thorax and lungs assessment.
  • •Describe the components of heart and neck vessels assessment.
Week
9

Module 1: General Considerations

3h

Review of Module 1

3 study hours
  • •Review Module 1 Units 1-3
  • •Complete TMA's for Module 1
Week
10

Module 2: Clinical Nursing Assessment

3h

Review of Module 2

3 study hours
  • •Review Module 2 Units 4-5
  • •Complete TMA's for Module 2
Week
11

Module 3: Assessing the Individual from Head to Toe

3h

Review of Module 3

3 study hours
  • •Review Module 3 Units 6-8
  • •Complete TMA's for Module 3
Week
12

Module 2: Clinical Nursing Assessment

3h

Comprehensive Health Assessment Practice

3 study hours
  • •Practice taking comprehensive health histories.
  • •Simulate physical examinations on different body systems.
  • •Review documentation and communication of health assessment data.
Week
13

Module 3: Assessing the Individual from Head to Toe

3h

Final Revision

3 study hours
  • •Review all course materials and key concepts.
  • •Focus on areas of weakness and seek clarification.
  • •Prepare for the final examination.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed concept maps linking assessment techniques to specific body systems (e.g., palpation of abdomen, auscultation of lungs).

2

Practice differentiating normal vs. abnormal findings through case studies and simulations.

3

Develop mnemonics for cranial nerve assessment and musculoskeletal range of motion.

4

Review common pathological conditions and their corresponding assessment findings.

5

Time yourself during practice exams to improve speed and accuracy in answering questions.

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