Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Registered nurses require the ability to attend to multiple stimuli simultaneously and to quickly focus on the essence of the client's needs while maintaining a comprehensive approach. As such, registered nurses require knowledge and skills that enable them to understand a client's health needs, determine appropriate interventions, predict and manage complications, and develop specific plans of care for individuals, families and communities that are appropriate to their unique needs and personal context. Fundamental to competence in this area is advanced skills in the area of health assessment across a variety of social, cultural and clinical contexts.

Aims

This unit aims to develop an understanding of health assessment in nursing practice. This will be achieved by exploring the theoretical, conceptual and practical knowledge required to effectively assess the individual, family and their environment to provide nursing care within contexts of specialist practice.

Objectives

The unit will enable you to:

1. Critically discuss health assessment frameworks;



2. Critically analyse the social and cultural contextual influences on the health experiences of clients;



3. Demonstrate physical and psychosocial assessment techniques; and



4. Discuss the physiological and psychological concepts underpinning advanced health assessment.

Content

Content which relates to a broad range of clinical nursing health assessment practice will be addressed including: comprehensive approaches to health assessment; clinical reasoning and clinical decision making; frameworks for health assessment; physical assessment techniques; health assessment of key body systems and adjunctive assessment tools; health assessment across the lifespan; and psychosocial health assessment. You are facilitated to apply the concepts learned in the unit to your specialty area of practice.

Successfully completing this unit will contribute to your attainment of the following postgraduate capabilities:

• Access the knowledge and skills pertinent to your specialty area of practice


• Think critically, creatively and analytically


• Undertake effective problem solving


• Use effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes


• Work independently and collaboratively with colleagues in the health system


• Responsibly practice within a social and ethically accountable frame of reference.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit is delivered in internal and external mode. You are encouraged to think critically about the appropriate use of various health assessment approaches and techniques through analysis of literature, case study analysis, contribution to seminar/online discussion and assessment items. You will receive a study guide, which provides a framework for your further reading and encourages critical analysis through a program of learning activities, and also accompanying readings. You are required to undertake suitable workplace based clinical experience in this unit. You will be facilitated to apply the concepts learned to your specialty practice context.

A series of seminars will further support your learning in this unit if you are studying via internal mode.

The seminar series supporting this unit, where possible, will be audio-recorded and accessed through the unit online teaching site (Blackboard) if you are studying via external mode.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed throughout the semester.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item 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 name: Problem Solving Task
Description: You are required to undertake two client health assessments of typical clients in your relevant specialty area. You must apply your knowledge to the analysis of these selected client health assessments and discuss and reflect on the framework / approach to the assessment you utilised.
Relates to objectives: 1, 3 & 4.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 5

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: You are required to undertake a client health assessment case study. This assignment will enable you to examine theoretical and professional influences on health assessment and apply knowledge to the analysis of a selected client health assessment.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 9

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: You are required to undertake a written timed examination which will include short answer questions, multiple choice questions and case study/ies that require you to apply theoretical knowledge and problem solving skills in a range of clinical situations.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 & 4.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Textbook:
Estes, M., Calleja, P., Theobald, K., & Harvey, T. (2012). Health assessment & physical examination: Australian & New Zealand edition, 1e. Sydney: CENGAGE Learning.

Other Recommended Textbooks
Health Assessment:
Cole, C., Hill, O., & Saunders, R.l. (2011). Pocket companion Jarvis's physical examination & health assessment (1st ANZ ed.). Sydney: Saunders Elsevier.

Forbes, H., & Watt, E. (2011). Jarvis's physical examination & health assessment (1st ANZ ed.). Sydney: Saunders Elevier.

Lewis, P., & Foley, D. (Eds.). (2011). Weber & Kelly's health assessment in nursing (1st ANZ ed.). Broadway Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.


Cancer Nursing:
Langhorn, M., Fulton, J., & Otto, S. (2007). Oncology nursing (5th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.

Yarbro, C. H., Wudjick, D., & Gobel, B. (2010). Cancer nursing: Principles and practice (7th ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett.


Emergency Nursing:
Curtis, K., & Ramsden, C. (Eds.). (2011). Emergency and trauma care for nurses and paramedics. Sydney: Mosby Elsevier.


Intensive Care Nursing:
Carlson, K. (Ed.). (2009). AACN advanced critical care nursing. St Louis: Saunders Elsevier.


Acute Care Nursing:
Wagner, K. D., Johnson, K. L., & Hardin-Pierce, M.G. (2010). High-acuity nursing (5th ed.). Available electronic book library database.

Risk assessment statement

As a student undertaking this unit you may be required to undertake accompanying clinical practice experience in your workplace. As such, you will be exposed to risks encountered in the practice of advanced nursing practice. Students undertaking workplace based clinical placement are required to follow the same health safety guidelines that apply to all staff in your workplace.
In order to minimise risks during this component of the unit it is essential that you:

• Participate in the health care facility orientation session;


• Act in accordance with organisational Workplace Health and Safety policies;


• Undertake the required theoretical and practical preparation prior to commencement of the placement;


• Are aware of specific risks and hazards associated with the particular clinical area to which you have been assigned;


• Act within your scope of practice and the requirements of this unit; and


• Maintain your personal health and immunisation status.

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 a reasonable rest period between shifts;


• Review your current immunisation status; and


• Inform the Unit Coordinator, Study Area Coordinator or Clinical Lecturer if you are aware of any personal condition which may present a risk to yourself or clients, other students, health care agency staff or the general public while on 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.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 21-Nov-2012