1. NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
Ft Lauderdale
Course Syllabus
I. Course Title: PAC 5000 Physical Diagnosis I
II. Course Director: Steven J. Sager, MPAS, PA-C
Terry Building, 2nd Floor, Room 1283
Office: 954-262-1236
ssager@nsu.nova.edu
III. Meeting Times: Please refer to the online WebEvent calendar
IV. Instructor’s Office Hours: By appointment.
V. Course Description: The Physical Diagnosis course is an introduction to clinical
medicine. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills essential to obtain a comprehensive
medical history and perform a complete head-to-toe physical examination. Emphasis is placed
on normal physical findings. The course emphasizes patient interviewing, acquiring a medical
data base, and performing a comprehensive physical examination. A combination of lectures,
discussions, case studies, and performance skills labs will be used to present and practice the
necessary concepts and skills. Lab sessions are used to optimize teaching of concepts. The
student will be required to demonstrate Competency Based Learning during the performance of
the required procedures and skills.
VI. Course Goals: This course will teach students the skills necessary to obtain and document
a comprehensive medical history and to perform and document a complete head-to-toe physical
examination. Students will also develop the necessary skills to proficiently and comfortably
handle medical equipment and instruments. In addition, students will:
1. Develop skills in medical interviewing that allow for establishing rapport and
gathering accurate and complete information while maintaining patient comfort and
dignity.
2. Acquire and hone the knowledge and skills to perform a complete physical
examination, including a beginning appreciation for distinguishing normal from
abnormal.
3. Learn to present an organized, thorough case history in both written and oral form.
VII: Course Objectives: At the end of this course the student will be able to:
1. Obtain a comprehensive patient history.
2. Perform a thorough head-to-toe examination.
3. Correctly document medical information in a different formats

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VIII: Learning Objectives:
Given an adult patient and the necessary equipment, without assistance or reference, obtain a
comprehensive medical history and perform a complete head-to-toe physical examination
utilizing a logical, systematic sequence of steps. Each section will include the following:
Medical Interview
Define the primary goal of the patient interview
Identify the method by which the tone of the interview is established
Compare and contrast techniques for gathering information from the patient
Identify techniques to elicit the patient’s perspective
Define the purpose and content of the “Chief Complaint”
Construct the method for eliciting the “history of present illness.”
Compare and contrast “pertinent positives” and “pertinent negatives”
Define the differences between “disease and illness”
Describe the purpose and content of the past medical history, social history and
family history
Define the purpose and content of the “review of systems”
Define the techniques used to close the patient interview
Define documentation guidelines as established by the Center for Medicare/
Medicaid Services (formerly HCFA)
Obtain a complete patient history
Document a complete medical history including a patient genogram
Physical Examination
List the components of the vital signs assessment
Describe the techniques used to evaluate each vital sign
Properly obtain vital signs on a classmate
Identify the elements of the General Survey
Identify the anatomical structures/landmarks of the skin
Identify the anatomical structures/landmarks of the head and neck
Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of the head and
neck
Identify the anatomical structures/landmarks of the eye
Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of the eye
Identify the anatomical structures/landmarks of the ear, nasal cavity, and oral
cavity
Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques for the examination of the ear,
nasal cavity, and oral cavity
Identify thoracic and pulmonary anatomy and landmarks
Identify and demonstrate the proper techniques for inspection, palpation,
percussion and auscultation of the lungs, thorax, and heart
Describe and demonstrate the steps of the cardiac examination, including:
o the proper positions of the patient and examiner
o the important precordial areas for inspection, palpation, and auscultation
o the proper use of the diaphragm and bell in cardiac auscultation
o the method for timing the cardiac cycle using two senses
o the normal cardiac sounds
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Identify peripheral vascular landmarks in upper and lower extremities including
areas of palpation for pulses and auscultation for bruits
Describe and demonstrate the steps of the peripheral vascular examination,
including determination of the arterial blood pressure by palpation and
auscultation, inspection of the external jugular vein, and measurement of jugular
venous pressure
Identify the anatomical structures/landmarks of the abdomen and the relationship
of the abdominal organs to each other
Discuss the anatomy of the abdomen as it relates to the physical examination of the
abdomen
Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of the abdomen
Identify the anatomical structures/landmarks of the musculoskeletal system
Discuss the physiology of movement as it pertains to the musculoskeletal system
Measure the range of motion of selected joints and compare your results to the
normal range of motion
Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of specific joints
Describe the anatomy of the nervous system
Identify the motor and sensory pathways
Describe the pathways involved in the spinal reflex
Define and demonstrate the proper techniques of the Mental Status examination
List or identify the functions of the cranial nerves
Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of the cranial
nerves
Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of the motor
component of the nervous system
Identify or list the innervations of the muscles
Describe and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of the sensory
component of the nervous system
Identify the dermatomes
Identify and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of the deep tendon
and abdominal reflexes
Identify and demonstrate the proper techniques of examination of cerebellar
function
Properly perform a complete head-to-toe physical examination in the allotted time
IX. Texts:
Required:
1) Seidel HM, Ball JW, Dains JE, Benedict GW. Mosby’s Guide to Physical Examination.
6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2006. (ISBN 13: 978-0-3230-2888-2)
2) Coulehan JL, Block MR. The Medical Interview: Mastering Skills for Clinical Practice.
5th ed. F.A. Davis; 2006 (ISBN 13: 978-0-8036-1246-4)
Recommended:
1) Seidel HM, Ball JW, Dains JE, Benedict GW. Student Laboratory Manual for Mosby’s
Guide to Physical Examination. 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2006.
(ISBN 13: 978-0-3230-3573-6)
2) LeBlond RF, DeGowin RL, Brown DD. DeGowin’s Diagnostic Examination. McGraw-
Hill; 2008 (ISBN 13: 978-0-0714-7898-4)
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X. Evaluation Procedures:
Quizzes – will be administered using audience response devices (“clickers”) and will be given
prior to each lecture for each system discussed. Advanced reading of the material prior to the
lecture is required. (Responding to questions asked during the lectures will be counted as part of
the class participation grade.)
Written examinations for PAC 5000 will be held at the times designated on the WebEvent
calendar. The comprehensive midterm written examination will cover lecture material from the
first half of the course. The comprehensive final written examination will cover lecture material
presented in the second half of the course. A minimum score of 75% (C) must be achieved to
pass each written exam. Failure of a written exam requires retesting or mandatory
participation in a remedial exercise (tutorial).
Practical Examinations – Faculty will use standardized checklists to evaluate each student’s
physical examination skills. A minimum score of 80% (B-) must be achieved to pass each
practical exam. Failure of a practical exam requires mandatory attendance and
participation in a remedial exercise (tutorial), which consists of practicing the failed
material under direct faculty supervision. Although the remedial exercise is mandatory, your
original grade will not change after the exercise is complete.
Classroom and laboratory preparation and performance will be evaluated based on student’s
attendance and participation. This includes:
punctuality
preparation and successful completion of assignments
classroom responses using the audience response device (“clicker”)
proper lab attire
functional diagnostic equipment
familiarity with material
The final course grade will be calculated based on the following distribution:
Quizzes 15%
Classroom & laboratory preparation and performance 15%
Midterm written exam 15%
Final written exam 15%
Practical exams 20%
Final skills demonstration (head-to-toe physical exam) 20%
In order to pass this course, all students must achieve a cumulative average of 75% (C) or
greater on the written exams, a cumulative average of 80% (B-) or better on the practical
examinations, and a score of 80% (B-) or better on the final skills demonstration.
NOTE: all evaluation components of this course must be passed to pass the course. The
student will be offered one remedial exam for each component that is not passed. Failure to
pass any of the remedial exams will result in course failure without the option of additional
remediation and the student will be referred to the Committee on Student Progress.
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This course is a prerequisite for PAC 5100 Physical Diagnosis II. Failure to pass the course may
result in dismissal, prohibition from enrolling in PAC 5100 Physical Diagnosis II, or may extend
the student’s course of study.
XI. COURSE POLICIES:
Student attendance at all lectures, labs, and exams is mandatory and essential to achieve
the course objectives! It is expected that all students will engage in critical thinking and
problem solving during this course.
Reading assignments must be completed prior to the lecture.
All written assignments must be in MS Word document format and they must be
submitted electronically as an e-mail attachment. All written assignments must also
be formatted using the following parameters:
Margins: 1” on all sides
Font: Times New Roman 12-pitch
Spacing: single-space
Title: LastnameFirstinitial_Assignment (SmithA_SOAP1)
Participation is essential insure learning of interviewing and physical examination
techniques and is expected of every student throughout the course. While in the
classroom or lab, students will be selected at random to answer questions concerning the
reading material.
Mandatory lab attire and equipment: If a student is not properly attired or does not
have their diagnostic equipment, they will be asked to leave, which will be counted as an
unexcused absence. Only tennis shoes or crocs-like footwear is authorized. Slippers,
sandals, and flip-flops are not acceptable.
Men: program T-shirt and program exercise shorts
Women: sports top (bra), program T-shirt, and program exercise shorts
All: student lab coat with PA program logo
Students should bring their textbook to all lecture and lab sessions throughout the
semester. Assigned readings must be completed prior to lectures and laboratory
practicums. Students will be randomly called upon to answer questions and will be
expected to critique their own and other students' thinking.
The required textbooks will serve as the authoritative answer to a clinical problem if not
addressed in lecture or written handout.
Please refer to the Academic Year Handbook on the policies and procedure for missed
exams and the procedure for documenting and reporting all absences. Immediately notify
the course director via phone call of any missed lectures, exams, or labs.
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Tardiness will not be tolerated. Tardy students will not be permitted to enter the
classroom. However, if the student is denied entry into the lecture because of tardiness,
he/she will be permitted to enter the classroom during the next class break.
XII. Classroom Behavior and Conduct
Professional behavior and decorum is a requirement for successful completion of this
course. This will be evaluated in the classroom, labs, and all associated encounters with the
instructor and/or staff. Failure to adhere to this standard, regardless of academic
achievement in the course, will subject the individual to referral to the Committee on
Student Progress for possible disciplinary action and/or dismissal.
THE COURSE DIRECTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE REVISIONS TO THIS
SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME.
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