NURS 6904 - Advanced Health Assessment
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section A07, CRN 44250,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Melody Wright
Professional Qualifications:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, MSN 2017
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, BSN 2013
Nursing Education, Trinity School of Nursing, Steubenville, Ohio, Diploma 1999
APRN, MSN, NP-C
Email: mlwright03@ysu.edu
Office: Cushwa Hall: Room 3309
Office Phone: 330-941-1793
Preferred Contact Method: Email
Communication Expectations:
The best form of communication is via email. Emails are checked every day throughout the week and after hour requests and weekends may not be addressed until the following business day but all effort is made to respond in a timely manner. Please do not send any messages through blackboard messaging, please use email for all communication.
How to Refer to me:
Please refer to the instructors as Ms. Wright with all communications and correspondence
Course Description
6904. Advanced Health Assessment. Development of advanced clinical knowledge and skills needed for comprehensive health assessment across the life span. Emphasis on health history, physical, cultural, developmental and nutritional assessments with differential diagnosis of common health problems. Prereq.: NURS 6903 with a grade of B or better. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | Ball, J.W., Dains, J.E., Flynn, J.A., Solomon, B.S., & Stewart, R.W. (2023). Seidel’s guide to physical examination (10thed.). St Louis: Elsevier. |
Required Course Materials
This course does not require the purchase of a textbook. All required learning materials, readings, videos, and other resources will be provided throughout the semester through the course learning management system and other instructor-provided resources.
Recommended Course Materials ( Not required)
Students who prefer to have a hard-copy resource for additional background and independent learning may choose to purchase the following recommended textbook. This book is provided as an optional reference only and is not used as the course textbook. Course lectures, assignments, and assessments are not based directly on its content.
Ball, J.W., Dains, J.E., Flynn, J.A., Solomon, B.S., & Stewart, R.W. (2023). Seidel’s guide to physical examination (10thed.). St Louis: Elsevier.
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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Tentative Course Schedule (Subject to Change)
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Listen to Voice Recorded PowerPoints: 1. The lens of Clarity: Systematic Approach to the eye examination. 2. The Head and Neck Assessment Take time to review the additional resource links, as they are designed to support your learning and help strengthen your understanding of the material. Review the instructional media videos provided. They include demonstrations and explanations designed to strengthen your understanding of the exam techniques and improve your performance. Read through the Health History (HPI), Physical Examination, and Equipment Guide before beginning the assignment. This guide outlines the key subjective questions, physical examination techniques, and required equipment needed to perform a thorough EENT assessment. Reviewing this material will help you conduct a systematic assessment, recognize pertinent findings, and strengthen your clinical reasoning skills. Review Assignment details located in The Sentinel U Assignment Instruction Section | Assessment of the Head Eyes Ears Neck | Complete Practice Cases (Required – Not Graded) • Franklin Hayes – Eye Pressure • Leona Levy – Trouble Hearing • Varun Srisang – Congestion Complete and Submit Graded Cases • Samuel Okafor – Blurry Vision • Zoe King – Ear Pain Due by the end of the first week Sunday by 11:59pm Complete Case Study Reflection & Peer Debrief Assignment due each Wednesday following the weekly case study assignment. Post your debrief then engage in meaningful discussion with at least two classmates Complete Quiz #1 HEENT by Sunday of the first week |
| 8/31 | Listen to Voice Recorded PowerPoints: 1. The architecture of Breathing Take time to review the additional resource links, as they are designed to support your learning and help strengthen your understanding of the material. Review the instructional media videos provided. They include demonstrations and explanations designed to strengthen your understanding of the exam techniques and improve your performance. Read through the Health History (HPI), Physical Examination, and Equipment Guide before beginning the assignment. This guide outlines the key subjective questions, physical examination techniques, and required equipment needed to perform a thorough Pulmonary assessment. Reviewing this material will help you conduct a systematic assessment, recognize pertinent findings, and strengthen your clinical reasoning skills. Review Assignment details located in The Sentinel U Assignment Instruction Section | Assessment of Pulmonary | Pulmonary Complete Practice Cases (Required – Not Graded) • Howard grant- coughing • Maya Al-Khalilli- Cough • Anya Patel- Cough Complete and Submit Graded Cases • Sione Tafua- wheezing • Marcus Lee-shortness of breath Due by the end of the week Sunday by 11:59pm Complete Case Study Reflection & Peer Debrief Assignment due each Wednesday following the weekly case study assignment. Post your debrief then engage in meaningful discussion with at least two classmates Complete Quiz #2 Pulmonary by Sunday of each week |
| 9/7 | Listen to Voice Recorded PowerPoints: 1. The Cardiac Encounter: A clinical Sequence Take time to review the additional resource links, as they are designed to support your learning and help strengthen your understanding of the material. Review the instructional media videos provided. They include demonstrations and explanations designed to strengthen your understanding of the exam techniques and improve your performance. Read through the Health History (HPI), Physical Examination, and Equipment Guide before beginning the assignment. This guide outlines the key subjective questions, physical examination techniques, and required equipment needed to perform a thorough Cardiovascular assessment. Reviewing this material will help you conduct a systematic assessment, recognize pertinent findings, and strengthen your clinical reasoning skills. | Assessment of Cardiovascular | Cardiovascular Complete Practice Cases (Required – Not Graded) • Rafael Delgado-palpitations • Esther Carmi-heartburn • Tier Kanonnsase-high blood pressure Complete and Submit Graded Cases • Amelia-hospital-Follow-up • Joseph Carter-Swollen ankles Due by the end of the week Sunday by 11:59pm Complete Case Study Reflection & Peer Debrief Assignment due each Wednesday following the weekly case study assignment. Post your debrief then engage in meaningful discussion with at least two classmates Complete Quiz #3 Cardiac by Sunday of each week |
| 9/14 | Listen to Voice Recorded PowerPoints: Take time to review the additional resource links, as they are designed to support your learning and help strengthen your understanding of the material. Review the instructional media videos provided. They include demonstrations and explanations designed to strengthen your understanding of the exam techniques and improve your performance. Read through the Health History (HPI), Physical Examination, and Equipment Guide before beginning the assignment. This guide outlines the key subjective questions, physical examination techniques, and required equipment needed to perform a thorough Abdomen/GU assessment. Reviewing this material will help you conduct a systematic assessment, recognize pertinent findings, and strengthen your clinical reasoning skills. Review Assignment details located in The Sentinel U Assignment Instruction Section | Assessment of Abdomen Genitourinary | Gastrointestinal/ Genitourinary Complete Complete and Submit Graded Cases • Henry Brooks-hospital follow up • Ravi Kumar-abdominal pain • Sung Lee- confusion • Omar Rizwan-shortness of breath Due by the end of the week Sunday by 11:59pm Complete Case Study Reflection & Peer Debrief Assignment due each Wednesday following the weekly case study assignment. Post your debrief then engage in meaningful discussion with at least two classmates Complete Quiz #4 Abdomen/ GU by Sunday of the each week |
| 9/21 | Listen to Voice Recorded PowerPoints: Take time to review the additional resource links, as they are designed to support your learning and help strengthen your understanding of the material. Review the instructional media videos provided. They include demonstrations and explanations designed to strengthen your understanding of the exam techniques and improve your performance. Read through the Health History (HPI), Physical Examination, and Equipment Guide before beginning the assignment. This guide outlines the key subjective questions, physical examination techniques, and required equipment needed to perform a thorough Musculoskeletal/ Neurology assessment. Reviewing this material will help you conduct a systematic assessment, recognize pertinent findings, and strengthen your clinical reasoning skills. Review Assignment details located in The Sentinel U Assignment Instruction Section | Musculoskeletal Neurological | Neurological/musculoskeletal Complete and Submit Graded Cases • Robert Mason-Recent fall • Elena Torres-Right Side weakness • Mereana Harris-Left Ankle pain • Dorothy Barnes- Back pain Due by the end of the week Sunday by 11:59pm Complete Case Study Reflection & Peer Debrief Assignment due each Wednesday following the weekly case study assignment. Post your debrief then engage in meaningful discussion with at least two classmates Complete Quiz #5 Musculoskeletal/Neurological by Sunday each week |
| 9/28 | Listen to Voice Recorded PowerPoints: Take time to review the additional resource links, as they are designed to support your learning and help strengthen your understanding of the material. Review the instructional media videos provided. They include demonstrations and explanations designed to strengthen your understanding of the exam techniques and improve your performance. Read through the Health History (HPI), Physical Examination, and Equipment Guide before beginning the assignment. This guide outlines the key subjective questions, physical examination techniques, and required equipment needed to perform a thorough Endocrine and Integumentary assessment. Reviewing this material will help you conduct a systematic assessment, recognize pertinent findings, and strengthen your clinical reasoning skills. Review Assignment details located in The Sentinel U Assignment Instruction Section | Assessment of Endocrine and Integumentary | Endocrine/integumentary Complete and Submit Graded Cases • Lusia Sanchez-Fatigue, Rash • Jasper Medoza- New Patient visit • Katherine Moore-Painful rash • Emma Jones-Melanoma follow up Due by the end of the week Sunday by 11:59pm Complete Case Study Reflection & Peer Debrief Assignment due each Wednesday following the weekly case study assignment. Post your debrief then engage in meaningful discussion with at least two classmates Complete Quiz # 6 Endocrine and Integumentary by Sunday each week |
| 10/5 | Listen to Voice Recorded PowerPoints: Take time to review the additional resource links, as they are designed to support your learning and help strengthen your understanding of the material. Review the instructional media videos provided. They include demonstrations and explanations designed to strengthen your understanding of the exam techniques and improve your performance. Read through the Health History (HPI), Physical Examination, and Equipment Guide before beginning the assignment. This guide outlines the key subjective questions, physical examination techniques, and required equipment needed to perform a thorough Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Psychiatric assessment. Reviewing this material will help you conduct a systematic assessment, recognize pertinent findings, and strengthen your clinical reasoning skills. Review Assignment details located in The Sentinel U Assignment Instruction Section | Women’s health Men’s Health Psychiatric | Women's Health/men's health/psychiatric Complete and Submit Graded Cases • Joy Lee-Headache • Aiden Whitefeather-Scrotal pain • Stanley choi-Urinary Frequency • Skylar Tan-Constipation Due by the end of the week Sunday by 11:59pm Complete Case Study Reflection & Peer Debrief Assignment due each Wednesday following the weekly case study assignment. Post your debrief then engage in meaningful discussion with at least two classmates Complete Quiz # 7 Women’s health Men’s Health Psychiatric by Sunday each week |
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.