NSB103 Health Assessment
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | NSB103 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | NSD103 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2027, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | NSB103 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | NSD103 |
| Coordinator: | Jane O'Brien | j3.obrien@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Health assessment is the foundation of nursing practice and clinical reasoning. This unit complements the unit LSB142 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals by providing an opportunity for you to apply knowledge of scientific foundations of human health to the core nursing skill of health assessment. Effective health assessment underpins all aspects of person-centred nursing care. The foundational skills learnt in this unit are critical to success in later integrated-practice units and unit concepts are further developed as you extend your knowledge of health and nursing. Selected Principles of Public Safety and Quality Health Standards.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of the key NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Nursing Practice and National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards in conducting and documenting health assessment.
- Apply knowledge of normal and abnormal health parameters to identify changes in health conditions across the lifespan.
- :To enable safe person-centred care, use clinical reasoning skills to recognise patterns of health changes that may indicate deterioration or recovery.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills to undertake effective and culturally safe health assessments.
- Use digital and academic literacy skills to locate and integrate relevant evidence to inform practice.
Content
Mapped course themes: Person-centred care and therapeutic communication; digital literacy; evidence-based foundations of safe practice
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards: 3) Preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infection – hand hygiene; 5) Comprehensive care – health assessment; 6) Communicating for safety; 8) Recognising and responding to acute deterioration
Global/national/regional health priorities
Introductory: Development of skills including searching and reviewing research and other evidence for translation into practice
ePortfolio: Clinical practice skills development goals and incorporating self-directed practice
Module 1: An introduction to health assessment- comprehensive care
- Nurses’ roles and responsibilities during health assessment
- Application of frameworks for nursing assessment
- Clinical reasoning cycle
- General survey
- Health history and components of a physical examination
- Hand hygiene
- Documentation of patient information; clinicians take a medication history, history of allergies and adverse drug reactions
- Focused and comprehensive systematic health assessment – including lifespan considerations
- Identifying normal and abnormal findings and recognising acute deterioration (beginning level)
- Development of skills including searching for relevant research and other evidence to inform understanding of practice and academic literacy skills in assessment
Module 2: Professional communication within nursing practice
- Establishing professional communication in the healthcare context; health literacy-communicate with people in a way that supports effective partnerships
- Health-assessment interviewing
- Privacy and confidentiality
- ISBAR and SBAR
- Communication through documentation and healthcare records
- Accurate and complete records. Comply with security & privacy
- Reflective practice in the healthcare context.
Module 3: Health assessment and physical examination techniques
- Data collection techniques (vital signs, neurological, neurovascular observation, and pain)
- Primary survey-ABCDE and recognition of normal and abnormal.
- Focused health-assessment techniques for selected body systems/situations
- Documentation of health assessment, including electronic health record management.
- Responsible and appropriate use of Generate AI such as Microsoft CoPilot and use digital systems to complete comprehensive patient health assessment, understand patient needs, record and access patient health data to safely determine clinical care.
Module 4: Preparation for future practice
- Practice of interview techniques, monitoring of vital signs, and use of data collection tools
Learning Approaches
This unit will use a blend of online and face-to-face activities, including tutorials and clinical practice sessions. These activities will begin to develop your health-assessment skills – including data collection – and your ability to engage with structured and evidence-based approaches to practice. You will also begin to develop reflective practitioner skills through activities that will include keeping an ePortfolio. You will experience collaborative practice in a simulated healthcare environment by working in groups to develop and practice physical examination and communication skills. You will complete learning activities with a key emphasis on observing normal parameters and recognising abnormal parameters. The use of e-health records and other documentation will develop your digital literacy skills. Additionally, to appreciate the value of peers and the knowledge and experience they bring, small group tutorials will use structured exercises, evidence, and resources to support collaborative learning and inquiry.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will be provided with feedback and guidance to assist your learning throughout the semester through:
- Formative feedback in class interactions throughout semester, individually and/or as a group
- Immediate feedback on skills acquisition in CPS
- Written summative feedback on case study, with CRA
- The unit coordinator and tutors will be available for consultation throughout the semester in on-campus and online contexts
Assessment
Overview
There are three summative assessments to be completed in this unit. The first assessment is an authentic health assessment case where you demonstrate your understanding of effective communication techniques, normal and abnormal patient data parameters. In assessment two you are required to demonstrate your clinical skills in safe health assessment practice and satisfactorily perform a clinical assessment skills challenge. The third assessment is an exam.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case study
In this assessment, you will review a simulated health assessment case that reflects a real clinical scenario. You will use Generative AI and large data sets to critique and respond to a series of written questions that require you to interpret and explain assessment findings as you would in nursing practice.This task demonstrates your ability to:
- Accurately access and interpret health assessment data using evidence.
- Recognise normal and abnormal patient parameters
- Use effective communication to support safe, person‑centred care
Through this assessment, you will consider the role of the nurse, the needs of the patient, and the importance of clear communication to support safe clinical decision‑making.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Clinical assessment skills challenge
You will use your current knowledge, skills and attributes developed during learning experiences in clinical laboratory sessions and apply principles of safe health assessment practice to undertake a health assessment on a person, record and interpret the results.
You will be assessed on your ability to perform health assessment skill according to relevant best practice guidelines and performance criteria.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Exam
You will undertake an invigilated exam consisting of multi-choice and short answer questions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Calleja, P., Theobald, K., Harvey, T., & Estes, M. E. Z. (2024). Estes health assessment & physical examination (4th Australian & New Zealand edition.). Cengage Learning Australia.
Rebeiro, G., Wilson, D., & Fuller, S. (2021). Fundamentals of nursing : clinical skills workbook (4th edition.). Elsevier Australia a division of Reed International Books Australia Pty Ltd.
Risk Assessment Statement
During the learning activities associated with this unit, you will be exposed to situations in the Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC) that are deemed to be low risk. It is essential that, in the on-campus Clinical Simulation Centre, you:
- Act in accordance with supervisor instruction during the designated clinical practice sessions
- Act in accordance with the guidelines provided for student practice in the CSC including the usage of equipment
- Undertake required theoretical preparation prior to practice sessions in the CSC.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice.
- The RN accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality practice
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision-making, actions and evaluations
Relates to: Case study, Exam
2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships.
- The RN communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
Relates to: Case study, Exam
4: Comprehensively conducts assessments.
- The RN conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/ or for referral
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN assesses the resources available to inform planning.
Relates to: Case study, Exam
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.NS42 Bachelor of Nursing
- Apply scientific knowledge and skills to provide safe, person-centred, evidence-based nursing care across the lifespan.
Relates to: Case study, Exam - Utilise critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and digital literacy skills to make ethical and sustainable evidence-based decisions and evaluate outcomes.
Relates to: Case study, Clinical assessment skills challenge, Exam - Practice as an ethical and culturally safe practitioner and reflect on your professional nursing identity across a range of healthcare settings.
Relates to: Case study, Exam - Implement effective communication skills, therapeutic relationships, and professional capabilities to practice as a registered nurse independently and in inter- and intra-professional healthcare teams, to ensure safe, person-centred, evidence-based care.
Relates to: Case study, Clinical assessment skills challenge, Exam
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | NSB103 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | NSD103 |
Overview
Health assessment is the foundation of nursing practice and clinical reasoning. This unit complements the unit LSB142 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals by providing an opportunity for you to apply knowledge of scientific foundations of human health to the core nursing skill of health assessment. Effective health assessment underpins all aspects of person-centred nursing care. The foundational skills learnt in this unit are critical to success in later integrated-practice units and unit concepts are further developed as you extend your knowledge of health and nursing. Selected Principles of Public Safety and Quality Health Standards.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of the key NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Nursing Practice and National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards in conducting and documenting health assessment.
- Apply knowledge of normal and abnormal health parameters to identify changes in health conditions across the lifespan.
- :To enable safe person-centred care, use clinical reasoning skills to recognise patterns of health changes that may indicate deterioration or recovery.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills to undertake effective and culturally safe health assessments.
- Use digital and academic literacy skills to locate and integrate relevant evidence to inform practice.
Content
Mapped course themes: Person-centred care and therapeutic communication; digital literacy; evidence-based foundations of safe practice
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards: 3) Preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infection – hand hygiene; 5) Comprehensive care – health assessment; 6) Communicating for safety; 8) Recognising and responding to acute deterioration
Global/national/regional health priorities
Introductory: Development of skills including searching and reviewing research and other evidence for translation into practice
ePortfolio: Clinical practice skills development goals and incorporating self-directed practice
Module 1: An introduction to health assessment- comprehensive care
- Nurses’ roles and responsibilities during health assessment
- Application of frameworks for nursing assessment
- Clinical reasoning cycle
- General survey
- Health history and components of a physical examination
- Hand hygiene
- Documentation of patient information; clinicians take a medication history, history of allergies and adverse drug reactions
- Focused and comprehensive systematic health assessment – including lifespan considerations
- Identifying normal and abnormal findings and recognising acute deterioration (beginning level)
- Development of skills including searching for relevant research and other evidence to inform understanding of practice and academic literacy skills in assessment
Module 2: Professional communication within nursing practice
- Establishing professional communication in the healthcare context; health literacy-communicate with people in a way that supports effective partnerships
- Health-assessment interviewing
- Privacy and confidentiality
- ISBAR and SBAR
- Communication through documentation and healthcare records
- Accurate and complete records. Comply with security & privacy
- Reflective practice in the healthcare context.
Module 3: Health assessment and physical examination techniques
- Data collection techniques (vital signs, neurological, neurovascular observation, and pain)
- Primary survey-ABCDE and recognition of normal and abnormal.
- Focused health-assessment techniques for selected body systems/situations
- Documentation of health assessment, including electronic health record management.
- Responsible and appropriate use of Generate AI such as Microsoft CoPilot and use digital systems to complete comprehensive patient health assessment, understand patient needs, record and access patient health data to safely determine clinical care.
Module 4: Preparation for future practice
- Practice of interview techniques, monitoring of vital signs, and use of data collection tools
Learning Approaches
This unit will use a blend of online and face-to-face activities, including tutorials and clinical practice sessions. These activities will begin to develop your health-assessment skills – including data collection – and your ability to engage with structured and evidence-based approaches to practice. You will also begin to develop reflective practitioner skills through activities that will include keeping an ePortfolio. You will experience collaborative practice in a simulated healthcare environment by working in groups to develop and practice physical examination and communication skills. You will complete learning activities with a key emphasis on observing normal parameters and recognising abnormal parameters. The use of e-health records and other documentation will develop your digital literacy skills. Additionally, to appreciate the value of peers and the knowledge and experience they bring, small group tutorials will use structured exercises, evidence, and resources to support collaborative learning and inquiry.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will be provided with feedback and guidance to assist your learning throughout the semester through:
- Formative feedback in class interactions throughout semester, individually and/or as a group
- Immediate feedback on skills acquisition in CPS
- Written summative feedback on case study, with CRA
- The unit coordinator and tutors will be available for consultation throughout the semester in on-campus and online contexts
Assessment
Overview
There are three summative assessments to be completed in this unit. The first assessment is an authentic health assessment case where you demonstrate your understanding of effective communication techniques, normal and abnormal patient data parameters. In assessment two you are required to demonstrate your clinical skills in safe health assessment practice and satisfactorily perform a clinical assessment skills challenge. The third assessment is an exam.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case study
In this assessment, you will review a simulated health assessment case that reflects a real clinical scenario. You will use Generative AI and large data sets to critique and respond to a series of written questions that require you to interpret and explain assessment findings as you would in nursing practice.This task demonstrates your ability to:
- Accurately access and interpret health assessment data using evidence.
- Recognise normal and abnormal patient parameters
- Use effective communication to support safe, person‑centred care
Through this assessment, you will consider the role of the nurse, the needs of the patient, and the importance of clear communication to support safe clinical decision‑making.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Clinical assessment skills challenge
You will use your current knowledge, skills and attributes developed during learning experiences in clinical laboratory sessions and apply principles of safe health assessment practice to undertake a health assessment on a person, record and interpret the results.
You will be assessed on your ability to perform health assessment skill according to relevant best practice guidelines and performance criteria.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Exam
You will undertake an invigilated exam consisting of multi-choice and short answer questions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Calleja, P., Theobald, K., Harvey, T., & Estes, M. E. Z. (2024). Estes health assessment & physical examination (4th Australian & New Zealand edition.). Cengage Learning Australia.
Rebeiro, G., Wilson, D., & Fuller, S. (2021). Fundamentals of nursing : clinical skills workbook (4th edition.). Elsevier Australia a division of Reed International Books Australia Pty Ltd.
Risk Assessment Statement
During the learning activities associated with this unit, you will be exposed to situations in the Clinical Simulation Centre (CSC) that are deemed to be low risk. It is essential that, in the on-campus Clinical Simulation Centre, you:
- Act in accordance with supervisor instruction during the designated clinical practice sessions
- Act in accordance with the guidelines provided for student practice in the CSC including the usage of equipment
- Undertake required theoretical preparation prior to practice sessions in the CSC.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice.
- The RN accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality practice
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN maintains accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of assessments, planning, decision-making, actions and evaluations
Relates to: Case study, Exam
2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships.
- The RN communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
Relates to: Case study, Exam
4: Comprehensively conducts assessments.
- The RN conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and wellbeing of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/ or for referral
Relates to: Case study, Exam - The RN assesses the resources available to inform planning.
Relates to: Case study, Exam
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.NS42 Bachelor of Nursing
- Apply scientific knowledge and skills to provide safe, person-centred, evidence-based nursing care across the lifespan.
Relates to: Case study, Exam - Utilise critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and digital literacy skills to make ethical and sustainable evidence-based decisions and evaluate outcomes.
Relates to: Case study, Clinical assessment skills challenge, Exam - Practice as an ethical and culturally safe practitioner and reflect on your professional nursing identity across a range of healthcare settings.
Relates to: Case study, Exam - Implement effective communication skills, therapeutic relationships, and professional capabilities to practice as a registered nurse independently and in inter- and intra-professional healthcare teams, to ensure safe, person-centred, evidence-based care.
Relates to: Case study, Clinical assessment skills challenge, Exam