NURS 4804 - Health Assessment for RNs
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section A05, CRN 31153,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Lori A. Fusco, DNP, RN, CNE
Professional Qualifications:
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Case Western Reserve University
Master’s, Nursing Education, Youngstown State University
Bachelor’s, Nursing, Youngstown State University
Associate's, Dietetics, Youngstown State University
Associate Professor
Email: lafusco01@ysu.edu
Office: Cushwa Hall, Room 3112
Office Phone: 330-941-1355
Preferred Contact Method: Email
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Fusco
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Course Description
4804. Health Assessment for RNs. Increase clinical knowledge and skills in health assessment of clients of various age groups, and the reporting and recording of findings. Prereq.: admission to online RN-BSN completion program. 3 s.h.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/29 | 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 7/1, 7/5 at 11:59 PM Assignment: due 7/5 at 11:59 PM - health history, functional health patterns, assessment of skin Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 7/6 | 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 7/5 at 7pm: Discussion post: none Assignment: due 7/12 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 7/12 at 11:59 PM Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 7/13 | Ch 13 - Respiratory system Ch 14 - Cardiovascular system Ch 15 - Peripheral vascular system and Lymphatic system Ch 17 - Breast and axillae |
Respiratory, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and lymphatic systems, and breasts and axillae | Due 7/12 at 7pm: Discussion post: none Assignment: due 7/19 at 11:59 PM - health history, assessment of the respiratory, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and lymphatic systems Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 7/20 | Ch 16 - Gastrointestinal system Ch 18 - Musculoskeletal system Ch 21 - Reproductive system |
Gastrointestinal, renal, musculoskeletal and reproductive systems | Due 7/19 at 7pm: Discussion post: due 7/22, 7/26 at 11:59 PM Assignment: due 7/26 at 11:59 PM - health history, assessment of gastrointestinal, renal, musculoskeletal and reproductive systems Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 7/27 | 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 | Due 7/26 at 7pm: Discussion post: none Assignment: due 8/2 at 11:59 PM - health history, assessment of culture/spirituality, mental status, and nervous system Activity: check your knowledge (not turned in) |
| 8/3 | FINAL EXAM on BlackBoard head-to-toe assessment - be sure to follow Rubric for the Assessment | Final exam Head-to-toe Examination video |
Due 8/2 at 7pm: Final Exam: due 8/9 at 11:59 PM Assignment: due 8/9 at 11:59 PM - head-to-toe examination video |
| 8/10 | Develop a ONE page assessment handout on an Alternative Population such as an infant, toddler, school age, adolescent, older adults, or end-of-life patient. Handout should include assessments/techniques that are different than a normal adult assessment. NOTE: assignment due date changes this week |
Alternate health assessment guide | Due 8/9 at 7pm: Discussion post: due Wedn. 8/12; response due Friday 8/14 at 11:59 PM Assignment: due Wedn. 8/12 at 11:59 pm - Alternative Assessment Guide Course Evaluation: due Sat. 8/16 at 11:59 PM |
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.