NUR 3650 Advanced Health Assessment

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Health professionals often find themselves in situations where there is a need to assess clients for screening purposes and case management decision making. Occasionally the lives of individuals are dependent on the ability of health professionals to comprehensively assess a client's condition. From a health screening perspective, there are many instances cited in the literature where early detection can prevent individual suffering, by preventing disease at an early stage.

SYNOPSIS:

This course builds on basic health assessment and screening skills. It allows health professionals to explore fully the human individual, holistically, without recourse to invasive technologies. The course follows individuals who present to health care settings with problems requiring assessment and intervention by the most accessible and appropriate health professional. In addition Advanced Health Assessment implies that data gathered will be acted upon appropriately and related to the practice context.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Conduct comprehensive, holistic advanced physical assessments integrating the assessment of related systems;
2. Document assessment details to the required standard;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the meanings and determinants of "health" for individuals and families;
4. Rationalise the role of the nurse in the performance of the following forms of Assessment: Emergency Assessment; Ongoing/Partial Assessment; Focused/Problem-Oriented Assessment; Comprehensive Assessment; and
5. Develop strategies to introduce physical assessment skills into clinical practice venues.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the available marks for those items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES