NUR3200 — Health and Physical Assessment

Assessment 1: Comprehensive Health and Physical Assessment Report (2025)

Weighting: 40%
Length: 1,500–2,000 words
Submission Mode: Online via Turnitin
Due Date: Week 6, Friday 11:59 PM (AEST)

Assessment Overview

This assessment evaluates your ability to perform a holistic health and physical assessment, interpret clinical findings, and apply nursing frameworks to guide evidence-based care. The focus is on integrating theoretical knowledge with practical clinical reasoning, reflective awareness, and accurate health documentation.

Purpose

The purpose of this assessment is to strengthen your understanding of comprehensive patient assessment techniques. You will demonstrate your ability to gather a detailed health history, conduct a head-to-toe physical examination, analyze findings, and identify potential health priorities using current best-practice standards in nursing assessment.

Assessment Task

You are required to conduct a simulated or real patient assessment (with consent and ethical approval if applicable) and prepare a written report that includes the following:

1. Patient Health History: Document key demographic data, medical history, lifestyle factors, and relevant psychosocial information.
2. Physical Examination Findings: Conduct a systematic assessment (inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation) covering at least three body systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal).
3. Analysis and Interpretation: Identify normal and abnormal findings, interpret potential implications, and link observations to relevant pathophysiological concepts.
4. Nursing Priorities and Care Planning: Outline three key nursing priorities based on your assessment and propose evidence-based interventions aligned with current clinical guidelines.
5. Reflection on Practice: Critically reflect on your assessment performance, communication skills, and clinical reasoning using a recognized reflective framework (e.g., Gibbs or Rolfe model).

Formatting and Submission Requirements

• Use academic writing style and APA 7th referencing.
• Include a title page, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference list.
• Submit as a single PDF or Word document.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards—no identifying patient data.

Marking Criteria

1. Depth and accuracy of health history and physical assessment (25%)
2. Clinical reasoning and analysis of findings (25%)
3. Application of evidence-based frameworks and nursing priorities (20%)
4. Reflection and integration of theory into practice (20%)
5. Academic writing, structure, and referencing (10%)

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Demonstrate understanding of the principles of comprehensive health and physical assessment.
• Apply systematic approaches to clinical examination.
• Interpret and document findings accurately using professional standards.
• Integrate reflective practice to improve nursing assessment competence.

This 2025 NUR3200 Health and Physical Assessment assignment brief is designed for nursing students aiming to master clinical assessment and reflection. It emphasizes accuracy, evidence-based care, and clear academic writing—key factors for success in university-level nursing studies and clinical practice.

Recommended Learning Resources

• Bickley, L.S. (2023). Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
• Jarvis, C. (2020). Physical Examination and Health Assessment (8th ed.). Elsevier.
• Secrest, J., Norwood, B.R. & Dupler, A.E. (2021). “Integrating physical assessment skills in undergraduate nursing education.” Journal of Nursing Education, 60(4), 195–201. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20210310-04
• Levett-Jones, T., et al. (2019). The Clinical Reasoning Cycle: A Guide to Effective Clinical Decision-Making. Pearson Education Australia.
• Douglas, C., Osborne, S. & Windsor, C. (2022). “Nursing assessment and documentation: Enhancing accuracy and critical thinking.” Collegian, 29(1), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2021.03.004