Course Title: Advanced Physical Assessment in Health Care Practice

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Physical Assessment in Health Care Practice

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
NURS1050	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	150H Health Sciences	Distance / Correspondence	Sem 1 2012
NURS1050	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	150H Health Sciences	Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2012
NURS1050	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2009

Course Coordinator: A/Prof Lina Shahwan-Akl

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7443

Course Coordinator Email: lina.shanwan-akl@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Registration as a Division 1 nurse

Course Description

This course will allow the student to gain in depth knowledge and skills in the assessment of individuals/families with altered states of physical, mental and social health. It builds on the foundational nursing knowledge, principles and practices of physical, emotional, social and cultural assessment of individuals and their families. The course will allow students to utilise advanced skills of inquiry and investigation to formulate nursing care plans for individuals with altered states of physical health. Emphasis is on contemporary trends in nursing practices in a multicultural society, and changing practice in response to technological advances. The student is expected to adapt advanced technical skills to meet the demands of the setting and the unique needs of the sick individual/families. The student will be expected to perform all aspects of nursing care competently. This course will assist in preparing the nurses to diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate the complex nursing care of individuals and their families in a variety of practice settings within the scope and responsibility of their profession.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The dimensions of capability developed in the course include:

• 1. Ability to apply advanced skills in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in a variety of clinical care settings and contexts
• 2. Analysis, synthesis and integration of knowledge and application to practice
• 3. Advanced knowledge in specialised area
• 4. Professional responsibility and accountability to make ethical decisions
• 5. Apply an evidence-based approach to advanced practice
• 7. Facilitates the empowerment of others including diverse groups, through effective and therapeutic communication

At the completion of the course you should be able to:

• Explore and synthesise the complex pathophysiological and psychosocial processes causing a patient to require advanced specialist nursing care
• Apply knowledge and skills of advanced assessment techniques
• Incorporate bioscientific principles in the collaborative management of patients with complex health needs
• Critically apply health assessment findings to specific clinical conditions in order to provide safe and effective nursing care
• Plan, implement and evaluate collaborative management according to the identified health needs of patients and their families
• Practice in accordance with the profession’s code of ethics
• Intervene appropriately to ensure safe outcomes are practiced. Empathically provide care that is inclusive of cultural values, customs and spiritual beliefs of individuals and groups
• Maintain collaborative and supportive relationships with patients and their families/carers
• Critically apply contemporary evidence-based nursing knowledge to nursing care of ill patients
• Develop and utilise critical thinking processes and problem solving skills in order to effectively prioritise management of individuals with complex health needs
• ensure continuity of care through appropriate consultation, planning and communication.
• Empathically provide care that is inclusive of cultural values, customs and spiritual beliefs of individuals and groups
• Maintain collaborative and supportive relationships with patients and their families/carers
• Critically apply contemporary evidence-based nursing knowledge to nursing care of ill patients
• Develop and utilise critical thinking processes and problem solving skills in order to effectively prioritise management of individuals with complex health needs
• ensure continuity of care through appropriate consultation, planning and communication.

The underpinning knowledge and skill developed in the course includes:

• Anatomy and physiology pertinent to the organ/system experiencing altered state of health
• pathophysiology, management of illnesses and alterations of vital body functions
• Advanced physical assessment techniques
• Advanced monitoring and interventional technology
• Demonstrated ability to utilise advanced clinical decision making skills
• Application of advanced nursing knowledge and skills in the provision of effective care to persons of all ages, of diverse cultural backgrounds who are experiencing health problems
• Awareness of potential psychosocial, spiritual and cultural issues relevant to care of patients and their families
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues
• Ability to deliver nursing care without prejudice or judgement
• Knowledge of differences that exist between people from diverse groups
• Knowledge of collaborative interventions and plans of care incorporating current research findings
• Knowledge of professional role
• Knowledge of the learning

Overview of Learning Activities

• Lectures, class discussion, directed learning exercises, additional readings, and case scenarios.
• Online discussion forums

Overview of Learning Resources

• Lecture notes
• Course reading pack
• Library tutorial on using on-line data bases
• Tutorial on accessing and using myRMIT Studies for on-line activities and discussions

Overview of Assessment

Summative:

• Short answer questions in examination format.
• Laboratory Performance Assessment