Santa Monica College s1

Santa Monica College

Course Outline For Nursing 16 – Physical Assessment

Course Title: Physical Assessment Units: 1

Date Submitted: 3/26/99 IGETC Area: Updated: CSU GE Area: Transfer: CSU

I. Catalog Description: The focus of this course is to enable the student to further develop techniques of physical assessment. It includes a description of fundamental assessment techniques, including measurement of vital signs, then detailed assessment procedures and findings for specific body systems. The examination techniques presented are related primarily to adult patients. Gerontological considerations are included for each body system, with a focus on identifying normal age-related variations.

Prerequisite:

II. Required Text and References: Estes, M.E.Z. (2006) Health assessment and physical examination, 3rdd edition, Delmar Publishers, Albany, NY.

III. Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

A. Define effective interviewing techniques. B. Demonstrate how to transform problematic interviewing behaviors into more effective ones. C. Describe methods used to assess integumentary changes in both light-and dark- skinned patients. D. Demonstrate the physical assessment of the head and neck. E. Perform the physical assessment of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat. F. Describe common abnormalities found in the physical assessment of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and throat. G. Perform inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation of the chest. H. Perform a cardiovascular assessment. I. Demonstrate the techniques of gastrointestinal assessment. J. Perform inspection and palpation of the musculoskeletal system. K. Assess the neurological system in a systematic manner. IV. Methods of Presentation: Lecture, discussion, physical assessment demonstration, return demonstration of physical assessment techniques, audiovisual aids, computer assisted learning programs, hands on practice with laboratory partners.

V. Course Content:

Coverage Topic 12.5% Week 1 Legal Issues Physical Assessment Techniques General Assessment

12.5% Week 2 Skin, Hair, Nails Head and Neck

12.5% Week 3 Eyes Ears, Nose, Mouth, Throat

12.5% Week 4 Thorax and Lungs

12.5% Week 5 Heart and Peripheral Vasculature

12.5% Week 6 Abdomen

12.5% Week 7 Musculoskeletal

12.5% Week 8 Neurological Techniques

VI. Methods of Evaluation In order to obtain a passing grade, the student must: 1. Perform a return demonstration of all physical assessment techniques learned in the laboratory. 2. Complete the Skill Assessment Sheet for each assigned body system. 3. Attend at least 14 of the 16 sessions. 4. Cumulative score on quizzes of at least 75%. Quizzes are given at the beginning of the class.