AU4D013 - Clinical Assessment and Diagnostics 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: AU4D013
Module Title: Clinical Assessment and Diagnostics
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Community and Professional Practice Nursing
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Nursing Practice
Module Leader: Bridie Jones
Module Team: Pamela Davies, Ray Higginson, Meirion Williams, Sara Morgan, Dawn Parry, Lauren Jones, Mark Davies
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100290 - nursing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

The module aims to enable the student to utilise in-depth, systematic and comprehensive approaches to clinical examination, patient assessment and diagnosis.

Content Summary

Core themes include essential skills for physical examination. History taking processes: past medical, drug, family, social histories. Communication processes, interviewing skills, interpersonal and consultation skills. Evaluating clinical presentation. Systematic and methodical approaches to physical assessment and clinical examination using a systems approach: respiratory, ear, nose and throat, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, neurological, musculoskeletal. Exploration of the consequences of illness on homeostasis, the psycho-social impact upon the patient. Referral mechanisms and collaborative approaches to detect and manage unstable and complex health problems. Legal and professional issues: accountability, the duty and standards of care, consent and capacity to consent, confidentiality as well as clinical documentation

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 40
Seminars 5
Demonstration 10
Independent Study 180
Directed Study (including online independent learning) 135
Active/simulation based 20
Problem/Challenge based learning 10
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically evaluate and demonstrate in-depth systems approaches to patient assessment and examination in a variety of patient presentations and contexts alongside detailed knowledge of accountability when practising assessment skills
LO2 Provide an in-depth articulation of clinical impressions/differential diagnoses, demonstrating confidence and authority based on in-depth physical examination

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment OSCE 1 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - using real, simulated patients or manikins to assess practitioner's skills 20 N/A 25 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment OSCE 2 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - using real, simulated patients or manikins to assess practitioner's skills 20 N/A 25 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment OSCE 3 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - using real, simulated patients or manikins to assess practitioner's skills 20 N/A 25 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment OSCE 4 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - using real, simulated patients or manikins to assess practitioner's skills 20 N/A 25 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
OSCE 1
OSCE 2
OSCE 3
OSCE 4

Reading List

Brazier M & Cave E (2016) Medicine, Patients and the Law. 6th Edition. London. Penguin Books.

Bickley, LS & Szilagyi, PG (2016) Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 11th edition. Philadelphia; Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Hopcroft K and Forte V (2020) Symptom Sorter 4th edition. Radcliffe Publishing. Oxford

Innes A & Dover A (2018) Macleod’s Clinical Examination. Churchill Livingstone. Edinburgh.

Longmore M and Wilkinson I eds (2015) Oxford Handbook of Clinical Examination and Practical Skills. Oxford; Oxford University Press.

McCance KL and Heuther S (2018) Pathophysiology; The biologic basis for disease in adults and children. Elsevier. London.

Ruthven A (2016) Essential Examination. Scion Publishing. Oxford