Unit of Study NURS5012 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

PG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Health
Placement

Yes

Pre-requisites

NURS5010 - Introduction to Clinical Practice AND PHAR2001 - Introductory Pharmacology

Enrolment information

Please note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7 which will require attendance on-campus. Details will be provided closer to the time. Students who enrol in this unit in Term 2 will undertake placement hours during Term 3. 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 analyse data across the lifespan in order to make safe clinical decisions. Through practice in nursing laboratory sessions and interactive online activities, students will problem solve, conduct systems-based nursing assessments, critically analyse data and administer medications using evidence-based methods.

Unit content

Introduction to health assessment
Breathing and circulation
Disability and exposure
Fluid and glucose
Introduction to the deteriorating patient and aspects of mental health
Intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder. Preparation for clinical assessment and placement requirements

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Coffs Harbour	Term2	Term2
Gold Coast	Term2	Term2
Lismore	Term2	Term2

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:

apply principles of safe medication practice including numeracy competency

critically discuss the principles of developing therapeutic relationships and interview techniques related to clinical practice, cognisant of cultural sensitivity and awareness

demonstrate a range of physical, psychosocial and cognitive assessment skills to inform nursing interventions

analyse physiological changes as they relate to nursing assessments

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Tutorial 3 hours (1 week)

Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)

Placement 120 hours (Various)

Assessment
Clinical skills	60%
Portfolio	40%
Calculations	SR
Placement	SR

Teaching method

Tutorial 3 hours (1 week)

Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)

Placement 120 hours (Various)

Assessment
Clinical skills	60%
Portfolio	40%
Calculations	SR
Placement	SR

Teaching method

Tutorial 3 hours (1 week)

Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)

Placement 120 hours (Various)

Assessment
Clinical skills	60%
Portfolio	40%
Calculations	SR
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 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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