2 semester hours (1 hour Theory, 1 hour Clinical)

Students should anticipate at least 3 hours of work time each week for theory and at least 3 hours a week of clinical time.

1. Apply the nursing process in the physical examination of patients across the lifespan.
2. Participate as partners in the customized techniques of health history and physical examination of patients to protect, promote, and restore optimal health.
3. Apply therapeutic communication skills when engaged in the assessment of the patient in professional practice.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking as the basis for formulating decisions and improving practice when doing health history and physical examination.
5. Apply theory and research findings for customizing the health history and physical examination of the individual patient.
6. Demonstrate the ability to partner through collaborative relationships with patients.
7. Demonstrate ethical and legal behaviors that reflect the standards of nursing practice in the assessment of patients.
8. Demonstrate commitment to professional role development in the integrated learning process

1. Collect and record an accurate, complete health history.
2. Use effective communication skills when conducting a health history interview and performing physical examination.
3. Demonstrate accurate physical examination of each designated body system.
4. Demonstrate an accurate, integrated head-to-toe physical examination.
5. Use appropriate standards of care in the performance of physical examination.
6. Demonstrate active involvement in the learning process.

Successful completion of NURS 4212 requires:
    1. A minimum grade of 70% as a final course grade AND
    2. A minimum average of 70% on the five Exams AND
    3. A minimum grade of 85% on the Final Integrated Physical Examination Demonstration.
        The student who earns less than 85% on the Final Integrated Physical Examination
        Demonstration will have only ONE additional opportunity to repeat this demonstration to
        achieve the required grade to pass the course.  The grade received on the first demonstration
        will be used for the final course grade calculation.

Assignment Due Date Policy:
No assignments will be accepted after the specified due date.

Testing Policy:
If a student cannot take an exam due to extenuating circumstances, the student must notify the course coordinator PRIOR to the exam time.  The student will have one week to make up the missed exam.  It is the student's responsibility to contact the course coordinator to schedule the make up exam.  If a student fails to notify the course coordinator, the missed exam is counted as a ZERO and averaged into the course grade.

Exams will be available for review for two weeks after grades are posted. After that time they are not available.

Bickley, L. S., & Szilagyi, P. G.  (2007).  Bates’ guide to physical examination and history taking (9th ed.).  Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

American Psychological Association.  (2001).  Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.).  Washington, DC: Author.

1. Health History
2. Integument Assessment
3. Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Assessment
4. Head & Neck Assessment
5. Neurological Assessment
6. Musculoskeletal Assessment
7. Pulmonary Assessment
8. Cardiovascular Assessment
9. Basic Arrhythmias Recognition
10. Breast Assessment
11. Abdominal Assessment
12. Male & Female Genitalia Assessment
13. Special Populations