Module: Advanced Adult Physical Assessment & Intervention

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Advanced Adult Physical Assessment & Intervention
Module Code	NUR1142 (ITS: NS5129)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module will introduce students to develop knowledge and skills in carrying out an advanced clinical assessment, including obtaining health histories, observation, physical examination techniques and detecting clinical deterioration. Students will advance their communication and interaction skills in all populations, including individuals with an intellectual disability and impaired cognition. They will develop their skills in multidisciplinary collaboration and trans-sectoral communication at the level of a specialist nurse. Hence this module aligns with the target group, including nurse specialists working in general, mental health and intellectual disability nursing practices outlined in this MSc programme. The advanced physical assessment components of this module will focus on four major systems; cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically discuss the structure and function of various anatomical and physiological organ systems.
2. Apply theoretical knowledge and skills to carry out advanced clinical assessments on all adult populations, including individuals with an intellectual disability and impaired cognition.
3. Demonstrate advanced comprehensive knowledge and skills to competently choose appropriate clinical assessments, and clinical decision aids for all adult populations, including individuals with an intellectual disability and impaired cognition.
4. Critically evaluate presenting clinical details in the context of the existing evidence to inform clinical decision-making.
5. Articulate understanding and reflect on own physical and clinical assessment skills with a view to advancing one’s emerging field of practice.
6. Critically discuss strategies for enhancing nursing- & multidisciplinary collaboration and trans-sectoral communication.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	12	No Description
Workshop	40	No Description
Workplace application	48	No Description
Independent Study	150	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11318	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Daniela Lehwaldt	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Professional Portfolio	ePortfolio including, video OSCE (Objectives Structured Clinical Examination) and Reflection on Practice.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

clinical and physical assessment
• Obtaining a comprehensive health history in populations with and without cognitive impairment • Health and physical assessment & clinical examination techniques, general observations & vital signs. • Application of relevant anatomy and physiology of body systems. • Principles of pathology and pathophysiology of common clinical conditions and injuries (within scope of practice). • Clinical reasoning and detecting deterioration • Advanced communication and interaction strategies

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bickley, L.S., Szilagyi, P.G., Hoffman, R.M. and Soriano, R.P.: 2020, Bates Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 13th, Wolters Kluwer.,
Cox, C.L.: 2019, Physical Assessment for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals, 3rd, Wiley Blackwell,
Innes, J.A., Dover, A.R. and Fairhurst, K.: 2018, Macleodâ€™s Clinical Examination, 14th, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier,
McGee, P. and Inman, C: 2019, Advanced Practice in Healthcare, Wiley Blackwell,
Heslop, P., Blair, P., Fleming, P., Hoghton, M., Marriot, A. and Russ, L.: 2013, Confidential Inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities (CIPOLD). Final report., Department of Health, Bristol,
Tracy, M.F. and O'Grady, E.T.: 2018, Hamric and Hanson's Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach., 6th, Elsevier.,
Willis, L. M.: 2016, Health Assessment Made Incredibly Visual., Wolters and Kluwer,

Articles:

Rösner, P., Berger, J., Tarasova, D., Birkner, J., Kaiser, H., Diefenbacher, A. and Sappok, T.: 2021, Assessment of dementia in a clinical sample of persons with intellectual disability., Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities,, 34,

Other Resources

1: online programme, HSE, 2021, Chronic Disease Management Programme,