NURS 6512 Week 3 Assignment Assessment tools, diagnostics, growth,
measurement, and nutrition in adults and children
Walden University
NURS 6512: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Syllabus
Student Support and Calendar Information
So you have all key information available to you off-line, it is highly recommended that you print the
following items for your reference:
This Syllabus, including the Course Schedule that is linked on this page as a PDF
Course Calendar
Student Support
Photo Credit: Steve Hix/Fuse/Corbis/Getty Images
Credit Hours
5 quarter hours
Walden University assigns credit hours based on the number and type of assignments that enable
students to achieve the course learning objectives. In general, each semester credit equals about 42
hours of total student work and each quarter credit equals about 28 hours of total student work. This
time requirement represents an approximate average for undergraduate work and the minimum
expectations for graduate work. The number and kind of activities estimated to fulfill time
requirements will vary by degree level and student learning style, and by student familiarity with the
delivery method and course content.
Course Description
The physical and emotional well-being of patients and families can be complex and multifaceted.
Advanced practice nurses need to have the knowledge and ability to provide safe, competent, and
comprehensive physical health assessments. Students in this course focus on concepts and skills to
assess patients across the lifespan. They learn to use diagnostic reasoning, advanced
communication, and physical assessment skills to identify changes in health patterns. Students also
use a systematic approach through which they focus on the assessment of patients with acute and
chronic health problems. The advanced skills of suturing, reading 12 Lead EKGs, and interpreting X-
rays will be covered. Students engage in course assignments that emphasize risk assessment,
https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201830_27/MS_NURS/NURS_6512/USW1_NURS_6512_syllabus.html?course_uid=USW1.496.201830&… 1/15
, NURS 6512 Week 3 Assignment Assessment tools, diagnostics, growth,
measurement, and nutrition in adults and children
diagnostic reasoning, and evidence-based assessment across the lifespan.
https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201830_27/MS_NURS/NURS_6512/USW1_NURS_6512_syllabus.html?course_uid=USW1.496.201830&… 2/15
, NURS 6512 Week 3 Assignment Assessment tools, diagnostics, growth,
measurement, and nutrition in adults and children
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Pre- or Co-Requisite: NURS 6521: Advanced Pharmacology
Course Outcomes
By the conclusion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Apply sound critical thinking to clinical assessment and decision making
2. Develop an effective and appropriate approach to patient assessment that takes into
consideration life circumstance and cultural, ethnic, and developmental variations
3. Elicit appropriate data from a patient using functional assessment, health history, and physical
assessment
4. Interpret patient health history and physical examination data
5. Apply diagnostic reasoning when assessing patient physiology
6. Relate assessment findings to underlying pathology or physiologic changes
7. Establish a differential diagnosis based on the assessment data
8. Evaluate options for a systematic approach to preventative and palliative care
9. Analyze evidence-based and ethical considerations in health assessment
To access the SON Alignment of Learner Outcomes for this course, please select the following link:
NURS 6512 Alignment Chart (PDF)
Course Materials
Please visit the university bookstore via your Walden student portal to ensure you are obtaining the
correct version of any course texts and/or materials noted in the following section. When you receive
your materials, make sure that all required items are included.
Course Texts
Dains, J. E., Baumann, L. C., & Scheibel, P. (2016). Advanced health assessment and clinical
diagnosis in primary care (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2015). Seidel's guide to
physical examination (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201830_27/MS_NURS/NURS_6512/USW1_NURS_6512_syllabus.html?course_uid=USW1.496.201830&… 3/15
