Professor: Department
Semester: Fall, Spring
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 242, BIO 244, NUR 103 and CHM 124 or MIC 201, PSY 113, any WRT course, and nursing math test.

Catalog Description: Introduces the techniques of history taking and systematic health assessment of individuals across the life span. Recognition of normal findings is emphasized.

This course is designed to teach students how to obtain a comprehensive health history and perform a thorough physical examination in order to determine a client's health status, predict health risks and identify health promotion activities. Student learns to identify the signs and symptoms of the client's response to illness by differentiating normal from abnormal findings.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

1. Compare and contrast assessment findings with appropriate norms and standards across the lifespan and cultures in order to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings.
2. Perform a comprehensive health assessment.
3. Document history and physical examination findings using the appropriate medical terminology and format.
4. Teach clients self-assessment techniques and behaviors that promote health and reduce risk.
5. Recognize cultural and legal issues related to health assessment and incorporate actions to protect the client and oneself legally while performing the health assessment.

This is a team taught course, which consists of two components: a lecture portion and weekly laboratory session. The lab will provide an opportunity to practice history and physical examination techniques on classmates and patient mannequins.

Students must demonstrate both their theoretical knowledge of the content via the course exams and their ability to perform a complete history and physical examination on a client in order to pass the course.

The topics covered in the course include:

• Introduction to Health Assessment
• The Health History
• Integumentary System
• Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose and Throat
• Respiratory System
• Cardiovascular System
• Peripheralvascular System
• Breasts
• Gastrointestinal and Renal Systems
• Musculoskeletal System
• Neurological System
• Differences in assessing children and elderly clients
• Putting it all together

This course is taught by multiple instructors, please refer to the URI Course Schedule.

This is a required nursing course that lays the foundation for developing patient assessment skills. Patient assessment is a key function of the professional registered nurse. Assessment differentiates the registered nurse from other nursing personnel.

• Virtual Stethoscope of McGill University - This website provides a valuable introduction to normal and abnormal breath and heart sounds.