Physical Assessment –

nur315

(3 credits)

This course builds from previous practical/vocational nurse competencies, knowledge, and skills. It provides the nursing student with the skills in physical, psychosocial, and spiritual assessment of adult clients. History taking and data collection are emphasized. Basic concepts related to assessment of geriatric, pediatric, and childbearing patients are included.

This undergraduate-level course is 5 weeks. To enroll, speak with an Enrollment Advisor.

Topics and Objectives

Overview of Physical Assessment Process
- Identify elements of therapeutic communication as used in the history portion of the physical assessment process.
- Describe techniques, skills, and appropriate sequencing used in conducting physical assessment.
Variations in Assessment Procedures for Special Groups
- Describe the importance of assessing growth and developmental stage in the assessment process.
- Identify specific assessments appropriate for the childbearing client.
General Survey and Vital Signs
- Identify components of a general survey.
- Examine how vital sign data including assessment of pain is used to assess changing health status.
Skin Assessment
- Describe assessment findings in clients with skin conditions.
- Interpret pertinent diagnostic test results and laboratory findings in clients with skin conditions.
Cardiac and Respiratory Assessment
- Identify normal physical assessment findings for the cardiac and respiratory systems.
- Identify abnormal physical assessment findings in clients with cardiac and respiratory conditions.
- Interpret pertinent diagnostic test results and laboratory findings in clients with cardiac and respiratory conditions.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Assessment and Genitourinary (GU) Assessment
- Identify normal physical assessment findings for the GI/GU system.
- Identify abnormal physical assessment findings in clients with GI/GU conditions.
- Interpret pertinent diagnostic test results and laboratory findings with clients with GI/GU conditions.
Musculoskeletal Assessment
- Identify normal physical assessment findings for the musculoskeletal system.
- Identify abnormal physical assessment findings in clients with musculoskeletal conditions.
- Interpret pertinent diagnostic test results and laboratory findings in clients with musculoskeletal conditions.
Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (EENT) Assessment
- Identify normal physical assessment findings for the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.
- Identify abnormal physical assessment findings in clients with EENT conditions.
- Interpret pertinent diagnostic test results and laboratory findings in clients with EENT conditions.
Neurological Assessment
- Identify normal physical assessment findings for the neurological system.
- Identify abnormal physical assessment findings in clients with neurological conditions.
- Interpret pertinent diagnostic test results and laboratory findings in clients with neurological conditions.
Application of Physical Assessment to Clinical Situations
- Model appropriate physical assessment techniques based on a given case scenario.
- Complete documentation of physical assessment findings.

The University of Phoenix reserves the right to modify courses.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Advisor.
Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.

Physical Assessment –

nur315

Overview of Physical Assessment Process

Variations in Assessment Procedures for Special Groups

General Survey and Vital Signs

Skin Assessment

Cardiac and Respiratory Assessment

Gastrointestinal (GI) Assessment and Genitourinary (GU) Assessment

Musculoskeletal Assessment

Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat (EENT) Assessment

Neurological Assessment

Application of Physical Assessment to Clinical Situations

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