7B043E - Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning 01 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2033 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 7B043E
Module Title: Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Community and Professional Practice Nursing
Faculty Sub Group: Integrated Health, Social Care and Post Registration Nursing
Module Leader:
Module Team: Christopher Nash, Bridie Jones, Meirion Williams, Dawn Parry, Sara Morgan, Lauren Jones, Pamela Davies, Ben Pitcher
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2032
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100473 - health studies
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2027
Valid To 31 Aug 2033

Module Aims

To develop advanced clinical assessment skills across key body systems To enhance diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making 

To support safe, evidence-based, person-centred care 

Content Summary

This module develops advanced clinical practitioners’ ability to perform, interpret, and critically evaluate comprehensive clinical assessments across multiple body systems. It integrates advanced examination techniques, pathophysiological knowledge, and diagnostic reasoning to support accurate diagnosis and safe, evidence-based management. 

Students will engage with neurological, musculoskeletal, and endocrine systems, applying structured assessment approaches and interpreting clinical findings within complex and often uncertain clinical scenarios. The module emphasises clinical decision-making, risk management, and person-centred care, alongside effective communication and multidisciplinary collaboration. 

Through simulation, case-based learning, and integrated assessment activities, students will develop the capability to synthesise information across systems and make informed clinical decisions. 

This module builds on prior learning in consultation and clinical reasoning and supports progression toward autonomous advanced clinical practice within a range of healthcare settings

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 15
Guided Study 30
Work Based Learning 90
Problem/Challenge based learning 41
Formative Assessment 4
Summative Assessment 60
Independent Study 60
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Perform and critically evaluate advanced clinical assessments to formulate differential diagnoses and management plans across a range of clinical presentation
LO2 Apply advanced pathophysiological knowledge to diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Clinical Practice Completion The Integrated Structured Clinical Examination (ISCE) assesses practical clinical skills, including patient assessment, examination technique, and application of diagnostic reasoning in simulated clinical environments. 90 N/A 70 No 50
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Individual Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) The oral case-based assessment evaluates cognitive and analytical abilities, including clinical reasoning, synthesis of information, and justification of decision-making. 15 N/A 30 No 50

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Clinical Practice Completion
Individual Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite)

Reading List

Basten, G. (2019) Blood results in clinical practice: A practical guide to interpreting blood test results. 2nd edn. Banbury: Scion Publishing. 

Cooper, N. and Frain, J. (eds.) (2022) ABC of clinical reasoning. 2nd edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell 

Dover, A.R., Innes, J.A. and Fairhurst, K. (eds.) (2023) Macleod's clinical examination. 15th edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier 

Fuller, G. (2013) Neurological examination made easy. 5th edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier. 

Hampton, J.R., Adlam, D. and Hampton, J. (2024) The ECG made easy. 10th edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier. 

Hopcroft, K. (2020) Symptom sorter. 6th edn. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 

O'Neill, R. and Murphy, R. (2015) Endocrinology. 4th edn. (updated). Banbury: Scion Publishing. 

Rang, H.P., Ritter, J.M., Flower, R.J., Henderson, G., Loke, Y.K., MacEwan, D.J., Robinson, E.M.S. and Fullerton, J. (2024) Rang and Dale's pharmacology. 10th edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier. 

Seidel, H.M., Ball, J.W., Dains, J.E., Flynn, J.A., Solomon, B.S. and Stewart, R.W. (2023) Seidel's guide to physical examination: An interprofessional approach. 10th edn. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. 

Thomas, J. and Monaghan, T. (2014) Oxford handbook of clinical examination and practical skills. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press 

Wilkinson, I.B., Raine, T., Wiles, K., Hateley, P., Kelly, D. and McGurgan, I. (2024) Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. 11th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press