HA

1. Course Name : HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Course Code : HA
Course
Description
: The course deals with concepts, principles & techniques of history
taking using various tools, physical examination (head to toe), psychosocial
assessment and interpretation of laboratory findings to arrive at
a nursing diagnosis on the client across the lifespan in community and
hospital settings.
Course Credit : 2 units lecture, 1 unit RLE
Contact
Hours/sem
:
36 lecture hours, 51 RLE hours
Prerequisite : Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, General Psychology, Anatomy-
Physiology, Chemistry 2 & NCM 100
Placement : 1st year, Summer
Course
Objectives: At the end of the course and given simulated and actual conditions/
situations, the student will be able to:
1. Differentiate normal from abnormal assessment findings;
2. Utilize concepts, principles, techniques and appropriate assessment
tools in the assessment of individual client with varying age group
and development; and,
3. Observe bioethical concepts/ principles and core values and nursing

2. standards in the care of clients.
Course Outline :
I. Review of the Nursing Process
II. Health History Guidelines
A. Interview
1. Purpose
2. Structure
3. Guidelines of an effective interview
III. Health History
A. Personal profile
1. Chief complaint of present illness
2. Past health history
3. Current medications
4. Personal habits & patterns of living
5. Psychosocial history
a. Mental status assessment
 Children and adolescent
 Adults
B. Functional assessment
1. Adults
2. Physical activities of daily living (PADC)
3. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)
C. Functional Assessment Tests
1. Newborns – Apgar scoring system
2. Infants & children – MMDST

3. 3. Adults
a. Katz Index of Independence in ADL
b. Barthel index
D. Review of systems (symptoms)
E. Assessment in pregnancy (e.g. LMP, EDC)
F. Pediatric additions to
A. health history (e.g. head circumference,
weight, height, immunization)
G. Geriatric additions to the Health History (e.g. immunization,
current prescription medications, over the counter medications,
ADL, social support, etc.)
III. Physical Examination
A. Preparation guidelines
B. PE guidelines
C. Techniques in physical assessment
1. Inspection
2. Auscultation
3. Percussion
4. Palpation
D. Continuing assessment
1. Pain
2. Fever
E. Pediatric adaptation
1. General guidelines
2. Specific age groups

4. F. Geriatric adaptations
1. General guidelines
2. Modifications
G. Cultural considerations
1. Sequence of PE (adult/pedia/geriatric adaptations)
a. Overview
b. Integument
c. Head
d. Neck
e. Back
f. Anterior Truck
g. Abdomen
h. Musculoskeletal system
i. Neurologic system
j. Genitourinary system
H. Clinical alert
I. Documentation of findings
J. Patient & family education & home health teaching
IV. Diagnostic tests (routine laboratory exams)
V. Appropriate nursing diagnosis
Guide for RLE
Provides opportunity to demonstrate the various nursing procedures
learned.
Provides opportunity to care for clients.
Laboratory

5. Supplies and
Equipment
: Assessment forms Patient’s chart
Ophthalmoscope Watch with second hand
Otoscope Sphygmomanometer
Flashlight or penlight Stethoscope
Tongue depressor Gloves and lubricant
Ruler & tape Vaginal speculum and equipment for cytological
Thermometer bacteriological study
Tuning fork Reflex hammer
Safety pins Paper, pen and pencil
Cotton

6. Supplies and
Equipment
: Assessment forms Patient’s chart
Ophthalmoscope Watch with second hand
Otoscope Sphygmomanometer
Flashlight or penlight Stethoscope
Tongue depressor Gloves and lubricant
Ruler & tape Vaginal speculum and equipment for cytological
Thermometer bacteriological study
Tuning fork Reflex hammer
Safety pins Paper, pen and pencil
Cotton