NSN429 The Science of 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: | NSN429 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $555 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,976 |
| International unit fee | $4,236 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Online
| Unit code: | NSN429 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Other Requisite: | Admission into NS90 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology is expected upon commencement of this unit. |
Overview
This unit integrates theory and practice enabling in-depth knowledge and skill development in comprehensive patient-centred health assessment, diagnosis and management across the lifespan. Using a body systems approach, you will learn the principles of systematic and comprehensive head to toe assessment, advanced anatomy and physiology, mechanisms of disease and pathophysiology, diagnostic reasoning and holistic management underpinned by nursing philosophy. This unit advocates a collaborative approach to practice to optimise consumer health outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Adopt a systematic approach to optimise undertaking an accurate, culturally safe and holistic health assessment for consumers across the lifespan
- Apply knowledge of anatomical and physiological concepts and technical skills in analysing complex data and determining normal and abnormal findings
- Synthesise and accurately interpret data findings, to make informed clinical decisions, collaborate with clinical support team member/s to gain situational knowledge to enhance outcomes
- Uphold culturally safe practices in communicating and collaborating with diverse consumer populations and other health professionals.
Content
This unit provides the foundation for advanced clinical decision making. The content is generic to all nurse practitioner specialty models in that it focuses on a systematic approach to assessment, diagnosis and management. Health conditions prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, paediatric and geriatric patients are highlighted within each module.
This unit supports students to develop knowledge and skills relevant to Head to Toe health assessment. Students will undertake supervised supernumerary practice to embed knowledge. This will comprise 40 hrs of work integrated learning which will be recorded in a clinical log verified by the student’s Clinical Support Team.
Key content covered in this unit:
Module 1: Culturally safe holistic consumer assessment – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health
Module 2: The Science Underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Respiratory System
Module 3: The Science Underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Cardiovascular System
Module 4: The Science Underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Neurological System
Module 5: The Science Underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System
Module 6: The Science Underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Renal System
Module 7: The Science Underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Endocrine System
Module 8: The Science underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Musculoskeletal System
Module 9: The Science underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Eye, Ears,
Module 10: The Science underpinning Advanced Health Assessment of the Skin
Learning Approaches
You will engage with real world online cases using a structured approach to assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and management. In parallel, you are participating in integrated clinical practice, which provides related real-world opportunities to engage with a range of consumers and to practice the application of knowledge and skills under supervision. You will be required to undertake 40 hours of supervised supernumerary practice in your usual workplace. The use of e-health records and other documentation such as clinical investigation reports will advance digital literacy skills.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will receive formative verbal feedback as you progress through the unit. A structured approach to assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress.
Assessment
Overview
There are three summative assessments to be completed in this unit.
This unit will use online web-based text matching software that assists you to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations to determine and avoid possible instances of plagiarism.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Advanced consumer assessment
You are required to complete 2 supervised clinical examinations with your Clinical Support Team of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems. You will submit signed physical examination assessment tools as evidence. You will be required to include a reflection on how your assessment approach would differ with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or vulnerable populations.
Assessment: Advanced consumer case study
You will select a consumer in your clinical specialty and apply scientific and contextual knowledge and skills, to undertake a holistic, collaborative health assessment. Using an appropriate framework, you will explain your collaborative approach to diagnostic reasoning, identification of differential diagnoses and development of a management plan. You will provide rationale for ordering appropriate clinical investigations to inform the provisional diagnosis, with due consideration to access, cost and clinical efficacy.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Advanced consumer assessment 2
You are required to provide a video recording of yourself performing a Head to Toe Clinical Examination along with 40 hours of verified work integrated learning which will be recorded in a clinical log verified by the student’s Clinical Support Team.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
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.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Ball, J., Dains, J., Flynn, J.A., Solomon, B.S. & Stewart, R.W. (2015). Seidel's guide to physical examination (8th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.
McCance, K., Huether, S. (2018). Pathophysiology. (8th ed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
Recommended text(s)
Talley, N., & O'Connor, S. (2014). Clinical examination: A systematic guide to physical diagnosis (7th ed.). Sydney: Churchill Livingston, Elsevier.
Risk Assessment Statement
As a student undertaking this unit you are required to be working in your nominated clinical speciality area. As such, you will be exposed to risks encountered in the practice of nursing. Students undertaking workplace-based professional practice experience or clinical placement are required to follow the same health safety guidelines that apply to all staff in the workplace. In addition, measures to control exposure to risks include:
- Orientation to the health care agency
- Appropriate theoretical and practical preparation
Emergency procedures
All facilities require that their health workers become familiar with local emergency procedures. It is your responsibility to locate fire exits, emergency procedures and complete CPR drill and fire safety as required.
Health status and immunisation requirements
It is strongly recommended that you will:
- Endeavour at all times to maintain your personal health at a high level. Be fit to work and have had a reasonable rest period between shifts.
- Review your current immunisation status.
- Inform the Unit Coordinator, Course Coordinator or Clinical Support Team if you are aware of any personal condition, which may present a risk to yourself or consumers, other students, health care agency staff or the general public while undertaking professional practice experience or clinical placement.
The management of your health facility has the right to send you home if, in their opinion, it is unsafe for you to work that day.
Confidentiality
As a student in the clinical area, you must treat all information regarding clients and their families with the utmost confidentiality. Information that is documented as part of your learning experiences must preserve client anonymity and confidentiality. Classroom discussion should also adhere to these principles.