NR304 Health Assessment II
RUA Health History and Physical Assessment Guidelines
NR304_Health_History_and_Physical_Assessment _Guidelines_V7.docx Revised: 6/2021 1
Purpose
As you learned in NR302, before any nursing plan of care or intervention can be implemented or evaluated, the
nurse conducts an assessment, collecting subjective and objective data from an individual. The data collected
are used to determine areas of need or problems to be addressed by the nursing care plan. This assignment will
focus on collecting both subjective and objective data, synthesizing the data, and identifying health and wellness
priorities for the person. The purpose of the assignment is twofold.
1. To recognize the interrelationships of subjective data (physiological, psychosocial, cultural and spiritual
values, and developmental) and objective data (physical examination findings) in planning and
implementing nursing care
2. To reflect on the interactive process that takes place between the nurse and an individual while conducting
a health assessment and a physical examination
Course Outcomes This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes.
CO 1: Explain expected client behaviors while differentiating between normal findings, variations and
abnormalities. (PO1)
CO 2: Utilize prior knowledge of theories and principles of nursing and related disciplines to integrate
clinical judgment in professional decision-making and implementation of nursing process while
obtaining a physical assessment. (POs 4, 8)
CO 3: Recognize the influence that developmental stages have on physical, psychosocial, cultural, and
spiritual functioning. (PO 1)
CO 4: Utilize effective communication when performing a health assessment. (PO 3)
CO 5: Demonstrate beginning skill in performing a complete physical examination using the techniques of inspection,
palpation, percussion, and auscultation. (PO 2
CO 6: Identify teaching/learning needs from the health history of an individual. (POs 2, 5)
CO 7: Explore the professional responsibilities involved in conducting a comprehensive health assessment and providing
appropriate documentation. (PO 6, 7)
Due date Your faculty member will inform you when this assignment is due. The Late Assignment Policy applies to this
assignment.
Total points possible 100 points
Preparing the assignment
Follow these guidelines when completing this assignment. Speak with your faculty member if you have questions.
1. Complete a health history and physical examination on an individual. Using the following subjective and objective
components, as well as your textbook for explicit details about each category, complete a health history and physical
examination on an individual. You may choose to complete portions of this assignment as you obtain the health
history and perform the physical examination associated with the body systems covered in NR304. The person
interviewed must be 18 years of age or older. Please be sure to avoid the use of any identifiers in preparing the
assignment and follow HIPAA protocols.
2.
a. Students may seek input from the course instructor on securing an individual for this assignment.
b. Avoid the use of client identifiers in the assignment, HIPAA protocols must be utilized.
c. During the lab experiences, you will conduct a series of physical exams that includes the systems listed in
Objective Data below.
d. Refer to the course textbook for detailed components of each system exam.
1) Remember, assessment of the integumentary system is an integral part of the physical exam and should be
2
NR304_Health_History_and_Physical_Assessment _Guidelines_V7.docx Revised: 6/2021 2
included throughout each system.
e. Keep notes on each part of the health history and physical examination as you complete them so that you can
refer to the notes as you write the paper, particularly the reflection section.
f. Utilize proper medical terminology.
3. Include the following sections, used as section headers within the paper.
a. Health History: Subjective Data (30 points/30% [1-2 paragraphs in length])
1) Demographic data
2) Reason for care
3) Present illness (PQRST of current illness)
4) Perception of health
5) Past medical history (including medications, allergies, and vaccinations and immunizations)
6) Family medical history
7) Review of systems
8) Developmental considerations- use Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development- which stage is your
participant at and give examples of if they have met or not met the milestones for that stage.
9) Cultural considerations- definition, cultural traditions, cultural viewpoints on healing/healers, traditional and
complementary medicine, these are examples but please add more
10) Psychosocial considerations- support systems-family, religious, occupational, community these are examples
but please add more
11) Presence or absence of collaborative resources (community, family, groups, and healthcare system)
b. Physical Examination: Objective Data (30 points/30% [1 paragraph])
1) From NR302
a) HEENT (head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat)
b) Neck (including thyroid and lymph chains)
c) Respiratory system
d) Cardiovascular system
2) From NR304
a) Neurological system
b) Gastrointestinal system
c) Musculoskeletal system
d) Peripheral vascular system
c. Needs Assessment (20 points/20% [2 paragraphs])
1) Based on the health history and physical examination findings, determine at least two health education
needs for the individual. Remember, you may identify an educational topic that is focused on wellness.
2) Support the identified health teaching needs selected with evidence from two current, peer-reviewed
journal articles.
3) Discuss how the interrelationships of physiological, developmental, cultural, and psychosocial considerations
will influence, assist, or become barriers to the effectiveness of the proposed health education.
4) Describe how the individual’s strengths (personal, family, and friends) and collaborative resources (clinical,
community, and health and wellness resources) effect proposed teaching.
d. Reflection (10 points/10% [1 paragraph])
Reflection is used to intentionally examine our thought processes, actions, and behaviors in order to
evaluate outcomes. Provide a written reflection that describes your experience with conducting this
complete health history and physical assessment.
1) Reflect on your interaction with the interviewee holistically.
a) Describe the interaction in its entirety: include the environment, your approach to the individual,
time of day, and other features relevant to therapeutic communication and to the interview process.
2) How did your interaction compare to what you have learned?
3) What barriers to communication did you experience?
a) How did you overcome them?
b) What will you do to overcome them in the future?
3
NR304_Health_History_and_Physical_Assessment _Guidelines_V7.docx Revised: 6/2021 3
4) What went well with this assignment?
5) Were there unanticipated challenges during this assignment?
6) Was there information you wished you had available but did not?
7) How will you alter your approach next time?
e. Writing Style and Format (10 points/10%)
1) Writing reflects synthesis of information from prior learning applied to completion of the assignment.
2) Grammar and mechanics are free of errors.
3) Able to verbalize thoughts and reasoning clearly.
4) Use appropriate resources and ideas to support topic.
5) Adheres to APA recommendations for title page, running head, headings, in-text citations, and reference
page
6) HIPAA protocols followed.
For writing assistance (APA, formatting, or grammar) visit the APA Citation and Writing Assistance page in the online
library.
Please note that your instructor may provide you with additional assessments in any form to determine that you fully
understand the concepts learned in the review material.
NR304 Health Assessment II
RUA Health History and Physical Assessment Guidelines
NR304_Health_History_and_Physical_Assessment _Guidelines_V7.docx Revised: 6.2021 4
Grading Rubric Criteria are met when the student’s application of knowledge demonstrates achievement of the outcomes for this assignment.
Assignment Section and
Required Criteria
(Points possible/% of total points available)
Highest Level of
Performance
High Level of
Performance
Satisfactory
Level of
Performance
Unsatisfactory
Level of
Performance
Section not
present in
paper
Health History: Subjective Data
(30 points/30%) 30 points 28 points 23 points 15.5 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Demographic data
2. Reason for care (why they are in the facility)
3. Present illness (PQRST of current illness)
4. Perception of health
5. Past medical history (including medications, allergies, and
vaccinations and immunizations)
6. Family medical history
7. Review of systems
8. Developmental considerations
9. Cultural considerations
10. Psychosocial considerations
11. Presence or absence of collaborative resources (community,
family, groups, and healthcare system)
Includes 11
requirements for
section.
Includes 9-10
requirements for
section.
Includes 5-8
requirement
for section.
Includes 1-4
requirement for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
Physical Examination: Objective Data
(30 points/30%) 30 points 28 points 23 points 15.5 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. From NR302
o HEENT (head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat)
o Neck (including thyroid and lymph chains)
o Respiratory system
o Cardiovascular system
2. From NR304
o Neurological system
o Gastrointestinal system
o Musculoskeletal system
o Peripheral vascular system
Includes 8
requirement for
section.
Includes 7
requirement for
section.
Includes 4-6
requirements
for section.
Includes 1-3
requirements for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
Needs Assessment
(20 points/20%) 20 points 18 points 15 points 7.5 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Based on the health history and physical examination findings,
determine at least two health education needs for the individual.
Includes 4
requirements for
section.
Includes 3
requirements for
section.
Includes 2
requirements
for section.
Includes 1
requirement for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
NR304 Health Assessment II
RUA Health History and Physical Assessment Guidelines
NR304_Health_History_and_Physical_Assessment _Guidelines_V7.docx Revised: 6.2021 5
Remember, you may identify an educational topic that is focused
on wellness.
2. Support the identified health teaching needs selected with
evidence from two current, peer-reviewed journal articles.
3. Discuss how the interrelationships of physiological, developmental,
cultural, and psychosocial considerations will influence, assist, or
become barriers to the effectiveness of the proposed health
education.
4. Describe how the individual’s strengths (personal, family, and
friends) and collaborative resources (clinical, community, and
health and wellness resources) effect proposed teaching.
Reflection
(10 points/10%) 10 points 9 points 8 points 4 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Describe the interaction in its entirety: include the environment,
your approach to the individual, time of day, and other features
relevant to therapeutic communication and to the interview
process.
2. How did your interaction compare to what you have learned?
3. What went well?
4. What barriers to communication did you experience?
5. How did you overcome them?
6. What will you do to overcome them in the future?
7. Were there unanticipated challenges to the interview?
8. Was there information you wished you had obtained?
9. How will you alter your approach next time?
Includes 9
requirements for
section.
Includes 7-8
requirements for
section.
Includes 5-6
requirements for
section.
Includes 1-4
requirements for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
Style and Organization
(10 points/10%) 10 points 9 points 8 points 4 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Writing reflects synthesis of information from prior learning
applied to completion of the assignment.
2. Grammar and mechanics are free of errors.
3. Able to verbalize thoughts and reasoning clearly.
4. Use appropriate resources and ideas to support topic.
5. Adheres to APA recommendations for title page, running head,
headings, in-text citations, and reference page.
6. HIPAA protocols followed.
Includes 6
requirements for
section.
Includes 5
requirements for
section.
Includes 4
requirements for
section.
Includes 1-3
requirements for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
Total = 100 points
NR304 Health Assessment II
RUA Health History and Physical Assessment Guidelines
NR304_Health_History_and_Physical_Assessment _Guidelines_V7.docx Revised: 6.2021 6
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