Unit of Study NURS2004 Foundations of Health Assessment (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Health
Placement

Yes

Pre-requisites

HLTH1007 - Foundations of Clinical Practice OR NURS2002 - Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning; AND Must have completed or be currently enrolled in NURS1005 - Fundamentals of Nursing Practice OR NURS1002 - Essentials of Nursing and Care; AND HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology; OR both HBIO1003 - Systemic Anatomy AND HBIO1007 - Human Physiology I

Enrolment information

This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.

Unit description

Introduces students to the relationship between the scientific functions of the human body, systematic nursing assessment, and medication administration. Students are provided with the knowledge and practical skills to systematically collect and interpret data in order to make safe clinical decisions. Through practice in nursing laboratory sessions and interactive online activities, students will learn to problem solve, conduct systems-based nursing assessments and administer medications using evidence-based methods. Students will complete three weeks (120hrs) of placement experience as part of this unit.

Unit content

Introduction to health assessment
Assessment of breathing and circulation
Assessment of disability and exposure
Assessment of fluid and glucose
Assessment of mental health, deteriorating patient and parental medication
Assessment of intellectual disability

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Coffs Harbour	Dual Term1,4	Dual Term1,4
Gold Coast	Dual Term1,4	Dual Term1,4
Lismore	Dual Term1,4	Dual Term1,4

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

demonstrate a range of physical, psychosocial and cognitive assessment skills to inform nursing interventions to provide person-centred care being cognisant of cultural sensitivity and awareness

safely calculate medication dosages and administer medications in a safe manner

use a range of data management techniques to document holistic care

discuss foundational concepts of behaviour and physiology as they relate to nursing assessments

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)

Tutorial 3 hours (1 week)

Placement 3 weeks (Across the term)

Assessment
Calculations	SR
Portfolio	40%
Practical	60%
Placement	SR

Teaching method

Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)

Tutorial 3 hours (1 week)

Placement 3 weeks (Across the term)

Assessment
Calculations	SR
Portfolio	40%
Practical	60%
Placement	SR

Teaching method

Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)

Tutorial 3 hours (1 week)

Placement 3 weeks (Across the term)

Assessment
Calculations	SR
Portfolio	40%
Practical	60%
Placement	SR

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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