NURS 201 Intro to Health Assessment
4 Credits

The course provides the basis to gather a health history and to assess the functioning of individuals through the proper use of physical examination techniques. Psychosocial and cultural assessment is included. The emphasis is on recognition and identification of normal findings. Nursing Health Assessment provides the basis to gather a health history and to assess the functioning of the adult client through the proper use of physical examination techniques. This course will introduce the student nurse to the processes and methods used to carry out a complete health assessment. The patient assessment is the cornerstone component of the nursing process. It is from the assessment that all other nursing decisions are made. It is therefore essential to develop a clear and thorough understanding of normal and abnormal health assessment findings. Students will learn the principles and techniques of obtaining vital signs, using assessment equipment, and carrying out inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation in the context of body systems. The ability to perform physical examination techniques with competence will be acquired through the lab component of this course. The foundation of an assessment, the health history, and ways to assess an individual's cultural perspective and psychological status will be addressed. Students will communicate assessment findings using appropriate documentation and reporting principles. Students will be required to successfully complete an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Prerequisites
NURS 101/102 and BIOL 131/132

Transfer Credits
Explore transfer credit opportunities by visiting the BC Transfer Guide