NURS 3020: Holisitic Health Assessment

Course Description

This course focuses on the holistic approach to health assessment, combining subjective data from a health history based on a holistic framework, review of systems and objective findings from physical examination. The course is designed to provide students with a fuller understanding of the mechanisms involved in maintaining homeostasis in the human body. Throughout the course the student will examine selected aspects of systemic body functions. The student practices interviewing skills, physical examination skills, and documentation skills in the laboratory and client based situations. The student analyzes assessment data and identifies strengths and problem areas with the adult client.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Discuss the role of the nurse in assessing the client's health from the holistic perspective.
Discuss cultural and developmental issues impacting assessment.
Apply knowledge from the biological sciences, behavioral sciences, and nursing in assessment of the client.
Discuss common physiological mechanisms in relation to health assessment, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Demonstrate effective interviewing skills in obtaining the holistic history.
Utilize a holistic framework to complete a narrative health history.
Demonstrate appropriate physical examination skills and documentation of findings in the assessment of an adult client.
Collaborate with the client to identify strengths and problem areas from the health assessment.

Course Materials

Please go to MBS Direct to find the appropriate textbooks for this course. Please be aware when purchasing your textbooks that the International versions of the text may differ from the Domestic (North American) version required for your course.

Click here for more information about textbooks for online courses.

Medical Equipment
Where possible, an attempt has been made to avoid the use of expensive or extraneous equipment. However, some procedures that students are required to demonstrate involve equipment. Here are some options to access equipment:

Students in Kansas City or St. Louis may check out equipment at their respective campuses.
Students currently employed in the medical field should investigate using the equipment at work.
Students that must purchase the equipment will find it at specialty stores or online.

Required Equipment

stethoscope with bell and diaphragm
blood pressure cuff
thermometer
reflex hammer
marking pencil or eyeliner
centimeter ruler
pen light
exam gloves (use non-latex if you or patient has an allergy)
pillows or folded towels
tongue blades
sterile needles
tuning forks
cotton wisp
vials of aromatic substances
magnifying glass
Snellen eye chart
Rosenbaum/Jaeger near vision card
tape measure
ophthalmoscope/otoscope

Video Equipment
You are required to submit a video of you conducting a physical examination on an adult volunteer. You will need access to a video camera, or a web cam or digital camera that can record video and audio. Test the equipment ahead of time to be sure that it can capture the level of detail required.

Essential Content

Holistic Framework
Cultural Issues Impacting Assessment
Physiology
Physical Assessment (see individual units)
Cultural Issues Impacting Assessment
Interviewing Skills

Course Activities

The course will be conducted entirely online. Students are expected to participate in all course activities as assigned by the instructor. Course activities may include Film, discussion, demonstration and return demonstration, weekly assignments. Due to the nature of this course, students will be expected to complete client examinations and perform physical examinations.

Readings:
Students are expected to read and review all assigned course materials.

Exam Write-ups:
Following the completion of each module, the student is to examine a client other than their health history/physical exam client to practice and perform physical examinations of the system(s) presented. Findings from the examination of each system are to be written and submitted via WorldClassRoom. These write-ups are graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory (S or U). Points will be deducted from the final grade if all write-ups are not submitted. Guides are available in the text as well as on the CD accompanying the text.

Health History:
The student will write an in-depth health history obtained from an adult client in the community.

Physical Exam:
A physical examination is performed on the same client from whom the history was obtained. Exam findings are written in narrative form using the lab write-ups as guides and note ‘Documentation of expected findings’ found in each chapter.

Physical Exam System Video Tape:
Each student will demonstrate, through video taping, the physical exam of 5 systems on an adult client of their choosing. The systems will be selected week 4 and the video disc will be received by the instructor via regular mail by Wednesday of week 8.

Quizzes:
Each week there will a short, graded quiz on the content covered. The quizzes will be graded at the conclusion of the course.

Discussion:
You must participate in weekly discussions. Look at the Discussion Guidelines of your course materials for more information.

Policy Statements

The course policies follow Webster University policies including online class policies. Non-participation in online discussions and activities will affect your grade. Remember plagiarism concerns are part of this online course and the University's overall academic dishonesty policies. Plagiarism is use of another's idea, opinion, publications, writings, information in one's own publication without proper credit to the original source of the idea, opinion, writing, or information. Please cite whenever appropriate. (see the Undergraduate College Academic Policies and Procedures)

Academic Honesty:
The university is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be held responsible for violations of these standards. Please refer to the Nursing Department’s Academic Honesty policies for a definition of academic dishonesty and potential disciplinary actions associated with it.

Drops and Withdrawals:
Please be aware that, should you choose to drop or withdraw from this course, the date on which you notify the university of your decision will determine the amount of tuition refund you receive. Students may withdraw from courses up to and including the Friday of the sixth week of an eight-week course and the Friday of the twelfth week of a semester course. To withdraw, a student must complete a withdrawal form, which is signed by the advisor. The symbol for course withdrawal (W) is recorded on the student's transcript. Withdrawals after the above dates may occur only under exceptional circumstances, and the withdrawal form must be approved by the instructor, the advisor, department chair and the director of the Academic Advising Center.

Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog university policies on drops and withdrawals to find out what the deadlines are for dropping a course with a full refund and for withdrawing from a course with a partial refund.

Special Services:
If you are registered as a student with a documented disability and are entitled to classroom or testing accommodations, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor at the beginning of the course of the accommodations you will require in this class so that these can be provided. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations please contact the Academic Resource Center.

Disturbances:
Every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption and all students are expected participate in all online course activities. Disruption of the learning process or inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course.

Note: This syllabus may be revised at any time at the discretion of the instructor and without prior notification or consent of the student.

Programs Students Faculty Help About OLC