PNE203 - Health Assessment for Practical Nurses

Outline info
Semester
School
Last revision date 2025-01-27 00:47:41.23
Last review date 2025-03-17 00:15:01.637


Subject Title
Health Assessment for Practical Nurses

Subject Description
This course will build on the assessment skills developed in year one.  Students will consolidate assessment theory in the classroom and practice holistic nursing assessment in the skills lab. 

Credit Status
1 Credit towards the Practical Nurse Diploma Program.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Upon completion of this course, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

  1. Obtain a holistic health history of the adult client, including physical, emotional, psychological, cognitive, social, spiritual, developmental, information and educational status and needs, using appropriate interviewing techniques.
  2. Integrate transcultural considerations into health assessment, including Aboriginal and LGBTQ cultures, and demonstrate behaviours that reflect the needs of individuals and acceptance of each person as a unique and diverse individual.
  3. Apply critical thinking and knowledge of anatomy and physiology when assessing and interpreting the results of Subjective and objective assessments.
  4. Describe and perform the following physical examination techniques in a safe and effective manner, observation, inspection, palpation, and auscultation.
  5. Use appropriate equipment for health assessment.
  6. Perform individualized assessments and interpret assessment data for persons within identified developmental groups to differentiate between health assessment findings which are within normal limits and those which are abnormal findings.
  7. Use a systematic approach, with correct terminology and abbreviations, to accurately document and report health assessment findings!
  8. Promotes client’s rights by obtaining consent and maintaining client privacy, confidentiality when performing nursing assessments and utilizing client data.
  9. Recognize when there is the need to perform a more in-depth assessment and/or involve a more experienced Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) or other health care professionals to complete an assessment and/or interpret assessment data. 

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Execute mathematical operations accurately.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.

Prerequisite(s)
All 100 level PN subjects

Co-requisites
PNA200, PNH200

 

Topic Outline

  • Interviewing
  • Holistic Health Assessment
  • Psychosocial Assessment
  • Culture and Ethnicity Assessment
  • Body System Focused Assessments
  • Assessment of Special Populations
  • Skin, Hair and Nail Assessment
  • Head, Neck, Mouth, Nose, Throat, Sinus Assessment
  • Eye & Ear Assessment
  • Neurological Assessment
  • Heart and Neck Vessel Assessment
  • Peripheral Vascular and Lymphatic Assessment
  • Breast, Genitourinary, Anus, Rectum and Prostate Assessment
  • Abdomen/Nutrition Assessment
  • Thorax and Lung Assessment

Mode of Instruction
4 hours per week (2h class+2h lab)  x 14 weeks = 56 hours

A variety of teaching methods will be used, including, but not limited to: discussion, seminars, self-reflection, case studies, independent and group work, lecture, on-line learning, role-play, computers and simulations. Select classes may be facilitated via Blackboard in an online format.

Prescribed Texts
Jarvis, C.  Physical Examination and Health Assessment. 2018 (3rd Cdn Ed)Toronto, ON: Elsevier. 9781771721547

Recommended:
Jarvis, C.  Pocket companion for Physical Examination and Health Assessment: (3rd  Cdn Ed). Toronto, ON: Elsevier 978-1-77172-149-3

To find out the cost of books and learning material go here.

Any courses not listed on the bookstore webpage do not require any resources for purchase. All resources will be provided by your instructor.

Reference Material

College of Nurses of Ontario. (2009). Compendium of standards of practice for nurses in Ontario.  Toronto: Author. http://www.cno.org/learn-about-standards-guidelines/publications-list/standards-and-guidelines

Kozier, B. J., Erb, G., Berman, A. J., Snyder, S., Buck, M. Yiu, L., & Stamler, L. (2018). Fundamentals of Canadian nursing: Concepts, process and practice. (4th Cdn. ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson. (Packaged with Canadian Neighbourhood & MyNursingLab)

Lewis, S. L., McLean Heitkemper, M., Ruff Dirksen, S., Barry, M. A., Goldsworthy, S., & Goodridge, D. (2013). Medical-surgical nursing in Canada. (3rd Cdn. Ed.). Toronto, ON: Elsevier.

Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (9th ed.). (2013). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.

Required Supplies

  • Students must have access to a computer and the Internet, and are responsible for checking E-mail messages, and using Blackboard course supports daily.
  • Students must bring their assessment texts to class each week.
  • Stethoscope
  • Watch
  • Uniform
  • Clean Shoes
  • Pen Light

Dress Code
Students must follow the clinical dress code for the PNE203 lab.
This course requires physical exam of other students and every student needs to have proper clothing under their uniform to allow for adequate assessment. (Tank top/camisole/shorts)

Student Progression and Promotion Policy
A minimum “C” grade on tests and SAT on Practical Testing is required for one credit toward the Practical Nursing Diploma.

http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/student-progression-and-promotion-policy.html

Grading Policyhttp://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/grading-policy.html

A+ 90%  to  100%
A 80%  to  89%
B+ 75%  to  79%
B 70%  to  74%
C+ 65%  to  69%
C 60%  to  64%
D+ 55%  to  59%
D 50%  to  54%
F 0%    to  49% (Not a Pass)
OR
EXC Excellent
SAT Satisfactory
UNSAT Unsatisfactory

For further information, see a copy of the Academic Policy, available online (http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academics-and-student-services.html) or at Seneca's Registrar's Offices. (https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/registrar.html).



 

Modes of Evaluation

Test 1 20%
Test 2 20%
Demonstration of health assessment component 10%
Practical Test 20% (Must achieve 80% minimum)
Final Exam (multiple choice) 30%


1. Practical Testing
Students must demonstrate a head to toe physical assessment.  See instructions below.
 
A minimum of 80% must be achieved on the practical exam.  If an 80% is achieved, the student will then receive a grade for the theoretical component of the course. If the grade for the practical exam is < 80%, the theoretical grade will be an “F”.
 
Students MAY be given the opportunity to retest if their overall academic grade is >60%. Re-testing will take place in person during supplemental exam week.

The student will perform a head to toe examination on a peer in the lab in person. Practical exams will be held during weeks 12 and 13.  Each student will be assigned a date and time to come to the lab with a partner. Each student will have 30 minutes to perform the head-to-toe assessment on their client. Each student will have one opportunity to look at the rubric or cue cards prior to the end of the 30 minutes.
 
Minimum practical testing grade of 80% is required to pass PNE203

2.Final Written Examination
A minimum final exam grade of 60% is required to pass PNE203

Dates for evaluations are specified in the weekly schedule addendum to this outline. The evaluation process may include, but is not limited to, tests, exams, assignments or presentations. Any absences or missed submissions due to medical or other reasons must be supported by medical or other appropriate documentation within one (1) week of the due date. Failure to produce documentation within the timeframe will result in a grade of zero in the missed evaluation. The faculty and program area must be notified immediately in the event of a missed evaluation. Upon acceptance of the documentation, the weighting of the missed deliverable will normally be applied to the final exam.

Students must attain a minimum overall mark of 60% and obtain a SAT on Practical Testing in order to pass this subject.  Failure to meet the above will result in a grade of "F".

“A minimum overall term/cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required in order to remain in the Nursing program.”



Expected English Competencies:

Since this is a professional credit subject, marking standards reinforce professional practice by demanding that all written work must demonstrate the following characteristics for clarity and conciseness:
  •     writing is consistent with the rules of English grammar
  •     spelling and punctuation are correct
  •     appropriate vocabulary used
  •     sentences are structured correctly
  •     work to flow logically through supporting statements
  •     work to be arranged in correct format (i.e. reports, essays)
Safe Assign:

Students are required to submit assignments through Safe Assign. Safe Assign compares submitted assignments against existing sources to identify areas of overlap. You can only submit your assignment once through Safe Assign. Students may also be required to submit a hard copy of the assignment. The process of submitting assignments will be discussed in class.

Late Assignments:

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the dates specified. Begin your assignments early in anticipation of unforeseen problems that may arise in your work or personal life. Should extenuating circumstances arise, please contact your instructor immediately, prior to your assignment due date, so an appropriate course of action can be established. Late assignments are subject to a penalty of 10% per week and will not be accepted beyond two weeks after the assignment due date.
 

Approved by: Lisa Harfield