Main Content
Syllabus
Course Description | Overview | Topical Outline | Objectives | Materials | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Policies
Course Description
NURS 251: Health Assessment [3 SH (2,1)]: Designed to broaden the student's knowledge and skills in health assessment and physical examination across the lifespan. Prerequisite: BIOL 129, BIOL 141; or NURS 111S and NURS 112 for Associate Degree Majors; or eligibility for NURN major for RNs.
Key to Semester Hour Designation: 3 SH (2,1) = 3 Semester Hours
2 semester hours in lecture, 1 semester hours in lab/clinical
Each semester hour in lecture = 50 minutes contact
Each semester hour in lab/clinical = 3 hours (or 180 minutes) contact
Therefore, this 3-credit course would meet for two (2) 50-minute lecture periods and one (1) hour of lab/clinical hours per week over a semester.
In general, you should plan on spending 6-9 hours per week on the course. For a more detailed look at what each lesson entails, as well as due dates for assignments and activities, see the Course Schedule.
Overview
In this course you will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and refine your physical assessment skills. This course will introduce you to health-history-taking methods, physical examination skills, health promotion techniques, and clinical assessment tools. You will also be provided the opportunity to conduct:
- documentation of physical exam findings;
- complete health history; and
- physical examination.
Topical Outline
- Health Assessment of the Whole Person
- Health History
- Introduction to Assessment
- Nutritional, Skin, Hair, and Nail Assessment
- Head, Neck, Nose, Mouth, and Throat Assessment
- Eye and Ear Assessment
- Breast Assessment and Thorax Assessment
- Heart and Neck Vessel Assessment and Peripheral Vascular System Assessment
- Abdominal and Musculoskeletal Systems Assessment
- Neurologic System
- Male and Female Genitalia and the Anus, Rectum, and Prostate
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course you will:
- Identify psychosocial, cultural, and developmental factors affecting the health assessment process.
- Utilize appropriate communication and interviewing techniques to facilitate health assessment.
- Gather data regarding health history and current health status in a thorough and systematic manner.
- Document health history, current health status, and findings of the physical examination according to accepted standards.
- Utilize inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation effectively.
- Recognize normal parameters of health.
- Demonstrate competency in performing physical examination.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in the analysis of health assessment findings.
Evaluation Methods (Dependent on Site)
Evaluation methods may include quizzes, examinations, written assignments, simulations, reflective journaling, care planning, and mid-course and final clinical performance evaluations.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You can view the Online Students' Library Guide for more information.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select My Account.
Additional Equipment
There are additional equipment requirements for this course. You could get access to these items at a variety of places if you don't own them. Some places to try include:
- your workplace (other departments may let you borrow one since you are an employee and some students have also obtained them from the continuing education department; if they won't let you borrow them, see if you can use them on the unit/inside the workplace)
- a local pediatrician's office
- a local physician's office
- a local school of nursing or medical school (Are you near any of the PSU campuses? Schools of Pharmacy also typically have this type of equipment. Please note: If you request to borrow equipment, you will need to allow the Lab Coordinator two-three weeks to make arrangements.)
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| Recorded Examination #1 |
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| Lesson 11 |
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Recorded Examination #2 |
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| Final Exam |
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Technical Requirements
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
| Help | If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information about completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
Additional Software
To view the audio/video clips, animations, and interactive exercises in the course, students will need QuickTime (7.1 or higher), Adobe Flash, and Adobe Shockwave. Download instructions are detailed in the Getting Started week.
One of the benefits of being a registered Penn State student is that you are eligible to receive educational discounts on many software titles. If you are interested in learning more about purchasing software through our affiliate vendor, please visit the Buying Software section of the Course Materials page.
Technical Support
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
As a Penn State student, you have access to lynda.com, your one-stop shop for video tutorials on Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and hundreds more topics--all free to active Penn State faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students. Take tutorials to help with coursework, learn techniques for your own projects, and build tech skills to boost your resume.
Course Requirements and Grading
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Assignment
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Type of Submission
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Points
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Due
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| Case Study | Written document; to be submitted online | 11 points |
Lesson 1 |
| Health History | Written document & audio recording; paper to be submitted online and audio recording to be submitted via YouSeeU | 45 points | Lesson 2 |
| Written Exam Findings | Written documents; to be submitted online | 84 points (4 papers x 14 points each, 1 x 28 points) | Lessons 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10 |
| Quizzes | Online exam (multiple choice) | 55 points (4 quizzes x 10 points each, 1 x 15 points) |
Lessons 3, 5, 7, 8 and 11 |
| Recorded Examinations | Physical Exam; observation/video recording to be submitted via YouSeeU | 110 points (50 & 60 points) | After Lessons 7 and 10 |
| Comprehensive Final Exam (online) | Online exam (multiple choice) | 120 points | After Lesson 11 |
| Total Points: | 425 | ||
Grading Requirement
Students must achieve a letter grade of C or better (based on the Nese CON grading scale) in both theory and clinical components of all nursing courses in order to pass the course and progress in the nursing program. The faculty of record is responsible for assigning the final grade the student earns in the course and for ensuring the grade is recorded into the official University grade reporting system (LionPATH).
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Letter Grade
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Percentage
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A
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94-100
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A-
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90-93
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B+
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87-89
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B
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83-86
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B-
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80-82
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C+
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77-79
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C
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75-76
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D
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68-74
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F
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Below 68
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A student must achieve a minimal final course grade of 75% for successful completion of the course. Each individual examination score is reported to the hundredth place, e.g. 92.76, and not rounded up. Only the final course grade will be rounded up. A final course grade of X.50 will be rounded to the next highest whole number (example 72.50 = 73). A final course grade of X .49 would not round up (example 72.49 = 72).
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.Please refer to the University Registrar's information about University grading policies.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS:
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is committed to the academic success of every student so that they can fulfill their academic goals. Students are ultimately responsible for seeking assistance if experiencing academic difficulty and are encouraged to reach out to the course instructor, academic advisor, and/or the Director for Undergraduate Nursing Education for resources to aid with academic success. Students are encouraged to seek assistance early and use internal and external resources, such as tutoring, as necessary for success.
ACADEMIC PROGRESSION:
Students are expected to progress through the program in a timely manner in compliance with an individualized plan of study. One of the responsibilities of the RN to BSN Student Admissions and Standards Sub-Committee is to monitor the academic progression of students in the nursing program. The committee believes that the student is ultimately responsible for seeking assistance when experiencing academic difficulty. However, the student may need to know that their progress is being monitored and that the faculty is committed to helping the student achieve success. This plan for early identification and follow-up of students experiencing academic difficulty is designed to ensure that students are well informed about strategies for success, including university resources and assistance. Detailed information is available in the student handbook.
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
MAKE-UP OF ASSESSMENT METHODS
Assessment dates are scheduled and specified in the syllabus; therefore, it is expected that students will adjust their schedules to accommodate for assessment completion. Recognizing, however, that one cannot plan to avoid severe illness, family death, or a few other limited circumstances, make-up assessments and extended completion times will be given in exceptional circumstances.
Failure to communicate the absence before the assessment due date will result in a 10% deduction of the assessment score. The 10% penalty is calculated from the assessment's total possible points, not from the grade achieved on the assessment. (For example, if a student scored 80/100 on an assessment, 10 points will be deducted for failure to communicate the absence and the student would earn a 70/100 for the assessment.)
A plan for making up the assessment must be completed within ten days of the due date unless an alternative plan is developed with the faculty. If there is no communication received from the student within ten (10) days, the student may receive a zero on the assessment.
NURS 251 Course Schedule
- Spring and Fall Semesters: 16 weeks
- Summer Semester: 13 weeks
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deceptions and is an educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
- cheating,
- plagiarizing,
- fabricating of information or citations,
- facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others,
- having unauthorized possession of examinations,
- making copies in any manner of exams or papers,
- submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, and
- tampering with the academic work of other students.
At the beginning of each course, it is the responsibility of the instructor to provide a statement clarifying the application of academic integrity criteria to that course. A student charged with academic dishonesty will be given oral or written notice of the charge by the instructor. If students believe they have been falsely accused, they should seek redress through normal discussion with the instructor, department head, dean, or campus executive officer. If the instructor believes that the infraction is sufficiently serious to warrant referral of the case to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, or if the instructor will award a final grade of “F” in the course because of the infraction, the student and instructor will be afforded formal due process (review Academic Integrity information, policy, and procedure on the College of Nursing website).
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedure requires an instructor to notify a student of suspected dishonesty before filing a charge and recommended sanction with the college. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If a disciplinary sanction also is recommended, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response..
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us.
Additionally, World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
For More Information on Academic Integrity at Penn State
Please see the Academic Integrity Chart for specific college contact information or visit one of the following URLs:
- Penn State Academic Integrity site
- Penn State Senate Policy on Academic Integrity
- Turnitin (a web-based plagiarism detection and prevention system)
Course Policies
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Students with disabilities participating in internship, practicum, student teaching, or other experiential learning opportunities as part of their degree requirements may also be eligible for reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access and opportunity. These accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, their University supervisor, and the site supervisor. Student Disability Resources can assist students with identifying potential barriers, facilitating accommodation requests, and coordinating with University supervisors to promote inclusive learning experiences.
Registration Status
All students in "Registration Not Complete" status must resolve issues before the first day of clinical or before the 10th day after classes begin, whichever comes first. Students who do not complete registration will not be able to remain in nursing clinical courses. University policy on completing registration can be found at the Office of the University Registrar.
Attendance, Student Responsibilities, and Conduct
- Attendance and participation in all scheduled classes is expected and will be monitored. Excessive absence can seriously affect a student’s success in passing this course.
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If an assessment event (examination, quiz, presentation or other form of assessment for grading) will be missed due to an unavoidable absence, the student must contact the instructor prior to the scheduled assessment event. (See Make-Up of Assessment Methods)
- Requests for missing class or an evaluative event due to reasons that are based on false claims may be considered violations of the policy on Academic Integrity and/or the Student Ethical Behavior Guidelines.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
- If extra credit assignments are offered, they must be offered to all students and should not be used to boost the grade of an individual student.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
- For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the Senate Committee on Student Life Policy on Managing Classroom Disruption will be followed.
Additional Course Policies
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.