Clinical Instructor: Rehana Kousar

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Curriculum of Generic-BSN
Health Assessment-2
2nd
Year,4th
Semester
Session 2021-2024

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Year 2 Semester IV

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HEALTH ASSESSMENT- II
Course Description:
An introduction to the content and skills needed to assess the basic health
status of individuals of varying ages. These skills can be applied to nursing
care in a wide variety of clinical settings. This course emphasizes history
taking and physical examination skills.
Course Objectives:
By the completion of this course learners will be able to:
1. Systematically assess the health status of an individual by obtaining a
complete health history using interviewing skills appropriately.
2. Utilize proper techniques of observation and physical examination in
assessing various body systems.
3. Differentiate normal from abnormal findings.

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4. Record findings in an appropriate manner.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of the need to incorporate health assessment
as part of their general nursing practice skills.
6. Apply knowledge of growth & development, anatomy, physiology, &
psychosocial skills in assessment & analysis of data collected.
Teaching/Learning Strategies:
Pre readings, experiential learning, videotaping, role playing,
lecture/discussion, quizzes, demonstration, movies & lab practice.
Evaluation Criteria:
Midterm 30%
Performance Exam 30%
Final Exam 40%
Total 100%
UNIT OBJECTIVES:
UNIT I: Assessment of the Peripheral Vascular and Musculoskeletal
Systems :
By the end of the unit, learners will be able to:
1. Discuss the patient health history question necessary to perform the
assessment of Peripheral Vascular System (PVS) and Musculoskeletal
System (MS) system.
2. Discuss critical observations to assess PVS.
3. Assess musculoskeletal functions including muscles strength, symmetry,
size, contour, ROM and its characteristics.
4. Document findings.
5. List the changes in the given systems that are characteristics of aging
process

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UNIT II: Assessment of the Mental Status and Sensory Neuro System
By the end of the unit, learners will be able to:
1. Perform mental status examination of a client.
2. Assess cranial nerve, sensory, sense of proprioception and cerebellar
functions and deep tendon reflexes.
3. Document findings.
4. List the changes in the nervous system that are characteristics of the
aging process.
UNIT III: Assessment of Cardio Vascular System
By the end of the unit, learners will be able to:
1. Describe the components of health history that should be elicited during
the assessment of cardiovascular system.
2. Identify the landmarks of the chest.
3. Describe the following:
o Pulse rate, rhythm and pulsation characteristics
o PMI
o Heart sounds
o Discuss systolic and diastolic murmurs
4. Assess the cardiovascular system systematically.
5. Document findings.
6. List the changes in cardiovascular system that is characteristics of aging
process.
UNIT IV: Assessment of Thorax and Lungs
By the end of the unit, learners will be able to:
1. Describe the components of health history that should be elicited during
assessment of respiratory system.
2. Describe the following:
 Chest contour and symmetry
 Respiratory rate and pattern
 Tactile fremitus
 Chest expansion
 Density of lung fields
 Diaphragmatic excursion
 Auscultated lung sounds
3. Assess the respiratory system including inspection, palpation, percussion
and auscultation.

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4. Document findings.
5. List the changes in respiratory system that are characteristics of aging
process.
UNIT V: Assessment of the Eyes, & Ears
By the end of the unit, learners will be able to
1. Identify the component of health history necessary for the examination of
eye & ear.
2. Describe the following:
 Eye structure and position
 Upper and lower eyelids
 Gross visual perception
 Characteristics of the cornea, sclera, pupil, and lens fundi.
 Peripheral fields
 Color, shape, and location of auricle
 External ear canal and tympanic membrane
 Gross hearing
3. Perform the examination of eye and ear of a healthy patient.
4. Document findings.
5. List the changes in eye and ear that are characteristics of aging process.
UNIT VI: Assessment of an Elderly Client
By the end of the unit, learners will be able to
1. Describe the variations in history taking for an elderly client.
2. Differentiate health assessment variations for elderly clients.
3. Identify any differing examination techniques or skills for elderly client
UNIT VII: Assessment of Pediatric Client
By the end of the unit, learners will be able to:
1. Describe the component of a thorough pediatric history, including
differences for developmental levels.
2. Differentiate health assessment norms for infants, and children.
3. Identify common examination techniques/skills for pediatric health
assessment.
References:

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1. Bicklay, L. S. (1999). Bates’ guide to physical examination and history
taking (7th ed).Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott.
2. Cox, C. H. (1997). Clinical applications of nursing diagnosis (3rd ed).
3. DeGowin, R. L., & Brown, D. D. (2000). Degowin’s diagnostic examination
(7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
4. Fuller, J. & Schaller Ayers, J. (2000). Health Assessment: A Nursing
approach. (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott.
5. Jarvis, C. (1996). Physical examination & health assessment (2nd
ed).Philadelphia: Saunders.
6. McFarland, G. K, et. al. (1997). Nursing diagnosis and intervention
planning for patient care chapter 1 & 2 (3rd ed).
7. Munro, J. F., & Campbell, I. W. (2000). Macleod’s clinical examination
(10th ed). Edinburgh: Churchhill Livingstone.
8. Thompson, B. (1991). Clinical manual of health assessment. (4th ed).St.
Louis: Mosby.
9. Weber, J. R. (2001). Nurses' handbook of health assessment (4th ed).
Philadelphia: Lippincott.
10. Wilson, S. F; Giddens J. F. (2001). Health assessment for nursing
practice (2nd ed).St. Louis: Mosby.