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Unit of study_

NURS5012: Assessment and Clinical Judgement

Semester 1, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The ability to undertake a focused and comprehensive patient assessment is fundamental to nursing practice. Conducting patient assessment allows nurses to gather the requisite information to make sound clinical judgements. With an emphasis on the systematic collection of reliable and valid assessment data, this unit of study examines the knowledge, capabilities and clinical skills required to undertake comprehensive health assessment, inclusive of physical, mental health, social, ethnic and cultural dimensions in complex clinical situations. Underpinning any patient assessment is a detailed understanding of normal physiological processes and the ways in which illness and injury alters these processes.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS5012
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Melissa Riegel, melissa.riegel@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Melissa Riegel, melissa.riegel@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assessment 1: Reliability & validity of a clinical assessment tool
Essay
50% Week 06
Due date: 27 Mar 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment Assessment 2: Comprehensive assessment and clinical judgement report
Case study report
50% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2024 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4

Assessment summary

  • Assessment 1: Reliability and validity of a clinical assessment tool: In essay format, students will critically evaluate the reliability and validity of the chosen tool in relation to a specific clinical context and population.
  • Assessment 2: Comprehensive assessment and clinical judgement report: Students will identify a patient in their clinical specialty area that is suitable for a case study and undertake comprehensive patient assessment. Informed patient (verbal) consent should be obtained where possible, prior to the comprehensive patient assessment and all subsequent  documentation pertaining to the assessment must be de-identified.

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items in order to pass this unit.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

As for distinction plus – initiative in research and reading; complex understanding of original analysis of theory as it applies to the clinical setting; makes an attempt to analyse relevant research and apply its underlying assumptions to the discussion; outstanding use of language, writing skills, vocabulary and grammar.

Distinction

75 - 84

As for credit plus – evidence of extensive reading and initiative in research ; sound grasp of subject matter and appreciation of key issues and context; critical evaluation of clinical practice; well written and documented.

Credit

65 - 74

As for pass plus – evidence of comprehensive reading with synthesis and critical analysis of material; demonstrates an ability to consistently integrate theory with clinical practice; clear and well organised with effective expression and good writing style.

Pass

50 - 64

Written work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of the subject matter and some sense of its broader significance; offers synthesis and some evaluation of material; demonstrates an effort to go beyond the essential reading; contains a clear focus on the principle issues; some evidence of ability to integrate theory with clinical practice; articulate and properly documented.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be deducted each calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date, zero marks will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Introduction to the unit of study Block teaching (0.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
The biopsychosocial assessment framework Block teaching (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Cultural safety Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Clinical judgement and decision making Block teaching (1 hr) LO1
Reliability & validity of clinical assessment tools: Understanding the concepts Block teaching (1.5 hr) LO1 LO3
Diagnostic reasoning Block teaching (1 hr) LO2 LO4
Library skills Block teaching (1 hr) LO3
Mental health assessment Block teaching (2.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 10 Assessment of cardiac conduction & contraction Block teaching (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Ventilation, oxygen & perfusion: Physiological principles and assessment Block teaching (1.5 hr) LO2
Advanced communication skills Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Neurological assessment Block teaching (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Abdominal assessment Block teaching (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Immune responses to illness Block teaching (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Assessment & clinical judgement: student panel Block teaching (1.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
The physiology of stress Independent study (0.75 hr) LO2
Assessment of delirium Independent study (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Common medications and their side effects Independent study (1.5 hr) LO1

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to participate in all four study days which complement online activities. 
  • Referencing StyleThe Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.
  • Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:
    • font: use Calibri or Times New Roman in 11 - 12 point
    • double line spacing
    • margins: 2.5cm each side
    • use page numbers
    • refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Recommended Textbooks  

While there are many excellent nursing texts available, after a process of review, the School recommends the following textbooks. These will be of ongoing use in your study. If you already own a reasonably recent physiology or physical assessment text it is not necessary to purchase another. These texts are available free online through the university library catalogue.

Talley, N.I. & O’Connor, S. (2021). Talley & O’Connor’s Clinical Examination, 9th Ed. Chatswood: Elsevier.

Craft, J., & Gordon, C. (2019). Understanding pathophysiology, 3rd Australian and New Zealand edition, St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier

 

A recommended source for referencing is:

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. acquire knowledge and skills needed to undertake comprehensive clinical assessment of patients, interpret this clinical data and determine the clinical significance
  • LO2. analyse assessment data and its relationship to normal or altered physiology within the context of patients with common clinical presentations
  • LO3. evaluate the research basis for the reliability and validity of assessment tools used in clinical practice
  • LO4. incorporate a biopsychosocial framework to patient assessment and clinical judgement.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The assessment activity for Assessment 2: online engagement with video - the assessment activity has been altered to make it easier for a systematic application of theory to content for students.

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content may be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, illness, or death and dying or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning in this unit of study and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice. You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

 

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.