Program Overview

Unit of Study NURS2004 Foundations of Health Assessment

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: UG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• Faculty & College: Faculty of Health
• Placement: Yes
• Pre-requisites:
  • HLTH1007 - Foundations of Clinical Practice
  • Must have completed or be currently enrolled in NURS1005 - Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
  • HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology

Unit Description

Introduces students to the relationship between the scientific functions of the human body, systematic nursing assessment, and medication administration. Students are provided with the knowledge and practical skills to systematically collect and interpret data in order to make safe clinical decisions. Through practice in nursing laboratory sessions and interactive online activities, students will learn to problem solve, conduct systems-based nursing assessments and administer medications using evidence-based methods. Students will complete three weeks (120hrs) of placement experience as part of this unit.

Unit Content

1. Introduction to health assessment
2. Assessment of breathing and circulation
3. Assessment of disability and exposure
4. Assessment of fluid and glucose
5. Assessment of mental health, deteriorating patient and parental medication
6. Assessment of intellectual disability

Availabilities

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

• demonstrate a range of physical, psychosocial and cognitive assessment skills to inform nursing interventions to provide person-centred care being cognisant of cultural sensitivity and awareness
• safely calculate medication dosages and administer medications in a safe manner
• use a range of data management techniques to document holistic care
• discuss foundational concepts of behaviour and physiology as they relate to nursing assessments

Teaching and Assessment

Coffs Harbour (Dual Term)

• Teaching method:
  • Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)
  • Tutorial 3 hours (Once)
  • Placement 120 hours (Various)
• Assessment:
  • Calculations: Satisfy Requirements
  • Portfolio: 40%
  • Practical: 60%
  • Placement: Satisfy Requirements

Gold Coast (Dual Term)

• Teaching method:
  • Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)
  • Tutorial 3 hours (Once)
  • Placement 120 hours (Various)
• Assessment:
  • Calculations: Satisfy Requirements
  • Portfolio: 40%
  • Practical: 60%
  • Placement: Satisfy Requirements

Lismore (Dual Term)

• Teaching method:
  • Laboratory 3 hours (5 weeks)
  • Tutorial 3 hours (Once)
  • Placement 120 hours (Various)
• Assessment:
  • Calculations: Satisfy Requirements
  • Portfolio: 40%
  • Practical: 60%
  • Placement: Satisfy Requirements

Prescribed Learning Resources

Dual Term 1

• Prescribed Texts: No prescribed texts.
• Prescribed Resources/Equipment: No prescribed resources/equipment.

Dual Term 4

• Prescribed Texts: Prescribed text information is not currently available.
• Prescribed Resources/Equipment: Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Fee Information

Domestic

• Commonwealth Supported courses: For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
• Fee paying courses: For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

International

• Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

Courses that Offer this Unit

• Diploma of Health (2026): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore, Online
• Diploma of Health (2025): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore, Online
• Bachelor of Nursing (2026): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore
• Bachelor of Nursing (2025): Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore