Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Advanced Health Assessment (Online)

NURS 6630-A70

Course: NURS 6630-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: NURS
CRN: 21113

Course Description

This advanced health assessment course is designed to equip Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students with the essential knowledge and skills required to proficiently assess patients throughout the lifespan. Students will cultivate expertise in diagnostic reasoning, advanced communication techniques, and comprehensive physical assessment skills. Through a dynamic curriculum, they will learn to systematically collect and analyze patient data, enabling them to not only identify the current health status of patients but also discern subtle changes in health patterns. This course empowers FNP students to become adept practitioners, capable of conducting thorough and insightful health assessments to inform evidence-based decision-making in their clinical practice. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): NURS 6620 Registration Restriction(s): MSN FNP students only

Required Texts

Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking 13th ed. by Bickley; 
Shadow Health: Advanced Health Assessment (online resource);
 SOAP for Family Medicine, 3rd ed by Maldonado and Zuniga.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
1. Conduct Comprehensive and Systematic Health Assessments: Students will be
able to perform comprehensive and systematic health assessments, integrating
advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. They will
adeptly gather relevant data through history-taking, physical examination, and
diagnostic techniques, demonstrating a holistic understanding of
patient health.
2. Apply Advanced Clinical Reasoning in Differential Diagnosis: Students will be able
to apply advanced clinical reasoning skills to analyze complex clinical data,
interpret diagnostic findings, and formulate evidence-based differential diagnoses.
They will demonstrate the ability to synthesize information from various sources and
develop prioritized plans for patient management.
3. Demonstrate Proficiency in Specialized Assessment Techniques: Students will be
able to demonstrate proficiency in specialized assessment techniques relevant to
their chosen specialty or population focus. This may include specialized
examinations for particular age groups, conditions, or patient populations,
showcasing the ability to tailor assessments to specific healthcare needs.
4. Integrate Cultural Competence into Health Assessments: Students will be able to
integrate cultural competence into health assessments, recognizing and respecting
the impact of cultural diversity on health. They will demonstrate the ability to
conduct assessments that consider cultural nuances, address health disparities,
and promote culturally sensitive and patient-centered care.By the end of this course, you will be able to:
1. Conduct Comprehensive and Systematic Health Assessments: Students will be
able to perform comprehensive and systematic health assessments, integrating
advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. They will
adeptly gather relevant data through history-taking, physical examination, and
diagnostic techniques, demonstrating a holistic understanding of
patient health.
2. Apply Advanced Clinical Reasoning in Differential Diagnosis: Students will be able
to apply advanced clinical reasoning skills to analyze complex clinical data,
interpret diagnostic findings, and formulate evidence-based differential diagnoses.
They will demonstrate the ability to synthesize information from various sources and
develop prioritized plans for patient management.
3. Demonstrate Proficiency in Specialized Assessment Techniques: Students will be
able to demonstrate proficiency in specialized assessment techniques relevant to
their chosen specialty or population focus. This may include specialized
examinations for particular age groups, conditions, or patient populations,
showcasing the ability to tailor assessments to specific healthcare needs.
4. Integrate Cultural Competence into Health Assessments: Students will be able to
integrate cultural competence into health assessments, recognizing and respecting
the impact of cultural diversity on health. They will demonstrate the ability to
conduct assessments that consider cultural nuances, address health disparities,
and promote culturally sensitive and patient-centered care.

Course Requirements

Participation
Participation will fall under the “participation” section of your grade. Although this class is
online format, you will need to engage in class activities and discussions to earn
participation credit.
Weekly Health Assessment Video
For each of the body systems studied throughout the semester, the student will complete a
focused assessment or other assignment related to the content for that week. You must
have your equipment with you and you will partner with a friend or family member to
practice and complete this assignment. Work is to be turned in by the due date. Late
assignments will be graded per the course late assignment policy listed above in this
syllabus.
Weekly Shadow Health Assignments
For each of the body systems throughout the semester, there will be a series of body
assessment skills videos and virtual assessments that will be required prior to completion
of your health assessment assignment. These are to help improve your assessment
technique and skills. A screenshot of your score(s) will need to be uploaded to the Shadow
Health assessment tab each week. A 90% is required to pass, and you can do the
assessment as many times as you need to get the score you want.Participation
Participation will fall under the “participation” section of your grade. Although this class is
online format, you will need to engage in class activities and discussions to earn
participation credit.
Weekly Health Assessment Video
For each of the body systems studied throughout the semester, the student will complete a
focused assessment or other assignment related to the content for that week. You must
have your equipment with you and you will partner with a friend or family member to
practice and complete this assignment. Work is to be turned in by the due date. Late
assignments will be graded per the course late assignment policy listed above in this
syllabus.
Weekly Shadow Health Assignments
For each of the body systems throughout the semester, there will be a series of body
assessment skills videos and virtual assessments that will be required prior to completion
of your health assessment assignment. These are to help improve your assessment
technique and skills. A screenshot of your score(s) will need to be uploaded to the Shadow
Health assessment tab each week. A 90% is required to pass, and you can do the
assessment as many times as you need to get the score you want.

Course Outline

Health Assessment Weekly Videos 
Shadow Health Practice Assessments 
Comprehensive Health Assessment

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Policy: Late work will not be accepted.

Make_Up_Work/Extra_Credit: Make-up of late assignments may be offered at the
professor's discretion for half credit.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is virtual; however, you will be graded on your participation in
class assignments and discussions

Course Fees

none

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.