NURS 4804 - Health Assessment for RNs
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 41855,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Lori A. Fusco, DNP, RN, CNE
Professional Qualifications:
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Educational Leadership, Case Western Reserve University, 2020
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Nursing Education, Youngstown State University, 2013
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Youngstown State University, 1997
Associate Applied Science (AAS), Dietetics, Youngstown State University, 1982
Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), National League for Nursing (NLN)
Associate Professor
Email: lafusco01@ysu.edu
Office: Cushwa Hall, Room 3112
Office Phone: (330)941-1355
Preferred Contact Method: email
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Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bates' nursing guide to physical examination and history taking (3rd ed.) | Hogan-Quigley, B., & Palm, M.L. (2022) | 9781975161095 | |
| Required |
Review Blackboard content weekly.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19 | Ch 3 - Interviewing and communication Ch 4 - Health history Ch 6 - Physical examination Ch 7 - General survey Ch 9 - Integumentary system |
Welcome Interviewing, health history, physical exam - getting started, general survey, and integumentary system |
Due 6/28 at 7pm: Discussion post: due 10/21, 10/25 at 11:59 PM Assignment: due 10/25 at 11:59 PM - health history, functional health patterns, assessment of skin Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 10/26 | Ch 10 - Head and neck Ch 11 - Eyes Ch 12 - Ears, nose, mouth, and throat |
The head and neck, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat | Due 7/12 at 7pm: Discussion post: none Assignment: due 11/1 at 11:59 PM - Health history, assessment of head and neck, eyes, ears, nose, mouth and throat Assignment: Submit topic for Module 7 assignment due 11/1 at 11:59 pm Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 11/2 | Ch 13 - Respiratory system Ch 14 - Cardiovascular system Ch 15 - Peripheral vascular system and lymphatic system Ch 17 - Breasts and axillae |
Respiratory, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and lymphatic systems, and breast and axillae | Discussion post: none Assignment: due 11/8 at 11:59 pm - Health history assessment of the respiratory, cardiovascular, PV and lymphatic systems Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 11/9 | Ch 16 - Gastrointestinal and renal systems Ch 18 - Musculoskeletal systems Ch 21 - Reproductive systems |
Gastrointestinal, renal, musculoskeletal and reproductive systems | Due 7/26 at 7pm: Discussion post: due 11/11, 11/15 at 11:59 pm Assignment: due 11/15 at 11:59 pm - Health history, assessment of gastrointestinal, renal, musculoskeletal, and reproductive systems Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 11/16 | Ch 5 - Cultural and spiritual assessment Ch 19 - Mental status/mental health assessment Ch 20 - Nervous system Ch 22 - Putting the examination all together |
Culture/spirituality, mental status/mental health, nervous system, putting it all together | Discussion post: none Assignment: due 11/22 at 11:59 pm - Health history, assessment of culture/spirituality, mental status and nervous system Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 11/23 | FINAL EXAM on Black Board Head-to-toe assessment - be sure to follow rubric for assessment |
Final Exam Head-to-toe examination video |
Final Exam: due 11/29 at 11:59 pm Assignment: due 11/29 at 11:59 pm - head-to-toe examination video |
| 11/30 | Develop a ONE page Assessment Handout on an alternative population such as an infant, toddler, school age, adolescent, older adult, or end of life patient. The hand out should include assessments/techniques that are different than a normal adult assessment. Note: assignment due date changes this week |
Alternate Health Assessment Guide | Discussion post: due Wedn. 12/2; response due Friday 12/4 at 11:59 pm Assignment: due 12/2 at 11:59 pm - Alternative Health Assessment Guide Course evaluation: due Saturday, 12/5 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.