Module Descriptors
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT AND PREPARATION FOR PRESCRIBING
NURS50772
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 5
20 credits
Contact
Leader: Elizabeth Lloyd-Martin
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 91
Independent Study Hours: 109
Total Learning Hours: 200
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence A, Stafford Campus, Term 2 to Term 3
- Occurrence B, Stoke Campus, Term 2 to Term 3
- Occurrence C, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Campus, Term 2 to Term 3
Sites
- Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Campus
- Stafford Campus
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- Examination (MCQ and short answer)- 1.5 hours weighted at 100%
- Numeracy Examination- 30 minutes weighted at 0%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
The numeracy examination requires 100% pass LO 4 The MCQ / SAQ examination enables achievement of LO 1,2,3.
Module Indicative Content
Taking a patient history, including the patient profile, chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, drug history, family medical history, social history and history taking techniques.
Physical assessment based on a whole-body systems approach including respiratory, circulatory, neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, skin, mental state. To include but not exclusively - respiratory examination - respiratory sounds, percussion, chest auscultation, peak flow and oximetry measurements / Interpreting selected normal and abnormal blood profiles Cardiovascular examination. Interpretation of commonly encountered normal / abnormal ECG traces / heart sounds
Neurological examination / peripheral nervous system assessment- The limbs and trunk: tone and power; sensation and coordination; reflexes
Locomotor system: musculoskeletal assessment
Mental health assessment - to include (but not exclusively) assessing capacity, physical health and mental illness, diagnostic overshadowing
Recognising and describing normal signs and symptoms, differentiated abnormal findings and responding to clinical 'red flags'
Recording clinical findings in a structured format
Communicating with professional colleagues
Documentation and record keeping
Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
The effects of comorbidity and polypharmacy
Prescribing and readiness for prescribing across the lifespan Legal, policy and ethical aspects of prescribing
Medication and prescribing differences related to children, adults and vulnerable groups
From Child perspective: Physical assessment to include- height and weight, head circumference, pulse oximetry, capillary refill, peak flow, assessing for signs of sepsis, rashes, signs of child abuse, use of PEWS, recognition of deteriorating infant, child, young person, links made to conditions child may have, Use of nebuliser/inhaler with spacer, oxygen therapy, neurological assessment.
Physical assessment based on a whole-body systems approach including respiratory, circulatory, neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, skin, mental state. To include but not exclusively - respiratory examination - respiratory sounds, percussion, chest auscultation, peak flow and oximetry measurements / Interpreting selected normal and abnormal blood profiles Cardiovascular examination. Interpretation of commonly encountered normal / abnormal ECG traces / heart sounds
Neurological examination / peripheral nervous system assessment- The limbs and trunk: tone and power; sensation and coordination; reflexes
Locomotor system: musculoskeletal assessment
Mental health assessment - to include (but not exclusively) assessing capacity, physical health and mental illness, diagnostic overshadowing
Recognising and describing normal signs and symptoms, differentiated abnormal findings and responding to clinical 'red flags'
Recording clinical findings in a structured format
Communicating with professional colleagues
Documentation and record keeping
Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
The effects of comorbidity and polypharmacy
Prescribing and readiness for prescribing across the lifespan Legal, policy and ethical aspects of prescribing
Medication and prescribing differences related to children, adults and vulnerable groups
From Child perspective: Physical assessment to include- height and weight, head circumference, pulse oximetry, capillary refill, peak flow, assessing for signs of sepsis, rashes, signs of child abuse, use of PEWS, recognition of deteriorating infant, child, young person, links made to conditions child may have, Use of nebuliser/inhaler with spacer, oxygen therapy, neurological assessment.
Module Learning Strategies
Face to face / VLE / Online resources
Simulation
Simulation
Module Texts
Cox C.L. (2019) Physical Assessment for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. West Sussex: Wiley Blackwell.
Davison N. (2015) Numeracy and Clinical Calculations for Nurses. Banbury: Lantern Publishing.
Joint Formulary Committee (2020) British National Formulary 79. London: BMJ Publishing and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2016 /2020) A Competency Framework for all Prescribers. Great Britain: RPS.
Davison N. (2015) Numeracy and Clinical Calculations for Nurses. Banbury: Lantern Publishing.
Joint Formulary Committee (2020) British National Formulary 79. London: BMJ Publishing and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2016 /2020) A Competency Framework for all Prescribers. Great Britain: RPS.
MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate a client sensitive approach to physical assessment techniques and medicines management. Summarise and demonstrate an understanding of the findings of physical assessment, demonstrating problem solving and decision-making skills recognising your knowledge limitations
Knowledge and Understanding
Application
Communication
Problem Solving
2. Understand the principles of pharmacology and therapeutics, in relation to a selected group of medicines, and be able to apply these to a chosen area of practice.
Application
Knowledge and Understanding
3. Critically explore the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical difference between adults and children, and vulnerable groups in relation to prescribing
Learning
Enquiry
4. Successfully achieve a health numeracy assessment related to nursing proficiencies and the calculation of medicines
Application
Knowledge and Understanding
Application
Communication
Problem Solving
2. Understand the principles of pharmacology and therapeutics, in relation to a selected group of medicines, and be able to apply these to a chosen area of practice.
Application
Knowledge and Understanding
3. Critically explore the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical difference between adults and children, and vulnerable groups in relation to prescribing
Learning
Enquiry
4. Successfully achieve a health numeracy assessment related to nursing proficiencies and the calculation of medicines
Application