Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: RNSG-1300 (Section: 1, CRN: 91496)
Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Lauren Ratcliff
Email ratcliffle@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6334
Office Allied Health - Room: 124
Office Hours As posted by appointment
Additional Contact Information None.
Course Information
Description Development of skills and techniques required for a comprehensive nursing health assessment of patients across the lifespan. Includes assessment of patients' health promotion and maintenance, illness and injury prevention and restoration, and application of the nursing process within a legal/ethical framework. This course lends itself to either a blocked or integrated approach.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

All course textbooks/programs are included in the Seahawk Book Bundle
Required:

  • Thompson, J. (2022). Essential Health Assessment (2nd ed). F.A. Davis.
 

  • Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experience™
See instructions below for purchase and registration in the Shadow Health course.
 
Student Self-Enrollment Instructions Using Course ID
Online Course Access provided in any of the following ways:

  • After you have purchased and redeemed your textbook custom package access code
  • You redeemed an Access Code that you purchased from a Bookstore or directly from the Evolve website
  • If you did not redeem an access code from a custom package or purchase directly from the Bookstore or Evolve website, you will be prompted to complete an instant “Purchase Access” while following the steps below. 
*** If you are accessing your instructor’s online course via your college’s Learning Management System then refer to the enrollment instructions given by your institution. ***
Please follow the steps below to self-enroll into your online courses.

  1.   Go to the Evolve website:   https://evolve.elsevier.com/studentand go to the “Catalog” home screen.
  2.   Enter the first “Course ID” listed below (or provided to you) in the option for“Redeem an Access Code or Enter an Evolve Course ID” and click “Submit”:

  • Course Title: Health Assessment - Fall 2025
  • Course ID: 165730_yrangel35_5001
 
                           
 

  1.   You are now prompted to log into your existing Evolve account or to create a new account. (ONLY first-time users should create a new account.)
  2. If creating your account for the first time,you must enter in your institution’s email address instead of a personal address.
    1. If you are a returning Evolve user sign into your account.
 

  1.   Click “Continue” on the “You’re Enrolled” page. 

NOTE:  If you signed into your existing Evolve account at this time go to Account Settings and ensure your Email Address listed is your institution’s email account.  Click “Save/Confirm”.

  1.   You have now completed self-enrolling into your required online course ID; this is now available to you within your “My Evolve” tab.   
  2. If you did not redeem an access code from a custom package or purchase directly from the Bookstore or Evolve website, go to “My Evolve” and click on your newly enrolled course.  You will then be prompted with the option to instantly “Purchase Access”.  Complete the steps to purchase the access and full online course access will be granted.
    1.   You now have access to your required Elsevier materials.  Repeat steps for any additional Course ID’s.
 
Shadow Health Support:
 

  1.   Watch the studentorientation videoif you are new to Shadow Health: 
 

  1.   Use a supported browser: Shadow Health recommends using Chrome to access your work. However, there are many browsers that you can useto access your assignments in Shadow Health. 
 

  1.   Reviewthe technical specifications.
 

  1.   Visit Shadow Health’s fantastic Support Centerfor answers to common questions.
 

  1.   Contact Shadow Health if you have any questions about Shadow Health by emailing nhpsupport@elsevier.com or by calling 800.222.9570.
For any questionsor additional assistancerelating to anything offeredontheEvolve/Elsevierwebsite, pleasecontactEvolveCustomer Support. You can clicktheHelptab atthetop-rightoftheEvolvewebsiteand scroll tothebottom fordirectemail, chat,or phoneoptions, oryoucan clickthedirectlinks below:
 
      Email:  https://service.elsevier.com/app/contact/supporthub/evolve/
        Chat:    https://service.elsevier.com/app/contact/supporthub/evolve/
 
      Phone: +1 800 222 9570 (Monday-Sunday, 6:00 am-12:00 am CST).
 
 
GENERAL TECHNICAL NOTE:

  • Students must have access to a PC laptop or desktop with:
    • Windows 8.1 or higher; or MacOS 10.15 or later
    • Browsers: Google Chrome (required for Speech to Text feature); Mozilla Firefox; Microsoft Edge (Windows only); Safari (macOS only)
    • All software should be up to date. Older software may not work properly with the Shadow Health DCE assignments.
    • Computer hardware less than three years old with working webcam and microphone. Recommended 4GB RAM
  • Students must have access to High Speed Internet Connection:
  • Network: Minimum 3 Mbps download connection (5 or more is recommended) (Check your network speed)
  • The Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experience performs best when directly connected to the internet. Due to the number of variables introduced when connecting to the DCE using VPN (Virtual Private Network) internet connections, users may experience extended assignment load times.
  • Wireless or Wireless Mobile Broadband connections may be used during course browsing
  • Students cannot complete a course using only a mobile device or the Blackboard Mobile App
  • Students must have access to Microsoft Office 2010 or higher.
  • Students must have access and use of a scanner
 
Accessibility
Shadow Health’s Digital Clinical Experiences require the use of a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse or touchpad. It is our goal to support alternative input modalities to improve accessibility for all users. However, if you are currently unable to use the DCE due to a visual or motor impairment, please contact the Shadow Health Learner Support team.
 
Tina Jones™ presents auditory and visual information representative of a human patient. To address auditory accessibility, when Tina Jones speaks, her speech is presented as both audio and text displayed at the bottom of the screen, except in instances where the textual representation would distinguish physical findings (e.g. textual descriptions of breathing sounds). If you require a transcription of these instances due to an auditory impairment, please contact the Shadow Health Learner Support team at support@shadowhealth.com.
The normal and abnormal sounds within the concept labs are medically accurate, and are produced at a frequency lower than what most laptop speakers are capable of delivering. To hear these sounds, we strongly recommend that you use a pair of external speakers or headphones to hear the bass frequencies.
 
Unsupported Platforms
The following devices and operating systems are not supported on the Shadow Health platform:
iOS devices (iPhones and iPads)
Android devices (phones and tablets)
Chromebooks
Linux/GNU based operating systems

Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites
  • BIOL-2101 Anatomy & Physiology I Laboratory
  • BIOL-2101 Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory I
  • BIOL-2301 Anatomy & Physiology I
Learning Outcomes Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual
Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices,
Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.

Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.

Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.

Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.

actions and consequences to ethical decisionmaking.actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
In accordance with the mission of Lamar State College - Port Arthur, this course encourages the student to develop the particular skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for success in the field of Associate Degree Nursing. Upon completion of RNSG 1300, the student will have the opportunity to:
1.  Demonstrate techniques utilized in the health assessment of individuals across the lifespan. (PSLO 1, PSLO 2, PSLO 3)
2.  Perform systematic physical assessment using appropriate equipment and techniques for all body systems. (PSLO 1, PSLO 2, PSLO 3)
3. Utilize cognitive and psychomotor skills in assessing clients' physiologic health and psychosocial status. (PSLO 1, PSLO 2, PSLO 3, PSLO 4)
4. Document findings utilizing appropriate terminology and legal/ethical format. (PSLO 1, PSLO 3, PSLO 4)
5. Identify legal and ethical standards related to health assessment. (PSLO1, PSLO 4)
6. Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading. (PSLO3)

Lecture Topics Outline
Week 1: 08/28/2025 Chapter 1,2,3, 5,6

  • Course Orientation
  • Shadow Health Orientation
  • Shadow Health DCE orientation 
  • Shadow Health Conversation lab
  • Introduction to Health Assessment – Chapter 1
  • Interviewing the Patient – Chapter 2
  • Taking Health History – Chapter 3
  • Assessment Techniques – Chapter 5
  • General Survey and Assessing Vitals – Chapter 6
  • Shadow Health – Communication and Documentation (Due week 2)
 
Week 2: 09/04/2025Chapter 7-8

  • Assessing Pain – Chapter 7
  • Assessing Skin, Hair, & Nails – Chapter 8
  • Shadow Health – Skin, Hair and Nails Assignment
  • Shadow Health – Health History
  • Lab worksheet
 
Week 3: 09/11/2025 Chapter 17

  • Assessing Neurological System – Chapter 17
  • Shadow Health – Neurological Assignment
  • Lab worksheet
 
Week 4: 09/18/2025 Chapter 9,10,11

  • Assessing Head, Face, Mouth and Neck – Chapter 9
  • Assessing the Ears – Chapter 10
  • Assessing the Eyes – Chapter 11
  • Shadow Health HEENT Assignment
  • Lab worksheet
  • Assessment video (online course)
 
Week 5: 09/25/2025

  • Exam 1 – Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 0800(Covers weeks 1 – 4)
 
Week 6: 10/02/2025 Chapter 12

  • Lung and Respiratory System – Chapter 12
  • Shadow Health – Respiratory Assessment
  • Shadow Health – Respiratory Concept Lab
  • Lab worksheet
 
Week 7: 10/09/2025 Chapter 13, 15

  • Assessing Cardiovascular System – Chapter 13
  • Assessing Peripheral Vascular System and Regional Lymphatic System – Chapter 15
  • Shadow Health – Cardiovascular Assignment
  • Shadow Health – Cardiovascular Concept Lab
  • Lab worksheet
  • Assessment video (online course)
 
 
Week 8:  10/16/2025 Chapter 14, 16

  • Abdomen and Gastrointestinal System – Chapter 14
  • Musculoskeletal System – Chapter 16
  • Shadow Health – Abdomen Assignment
  • Shadow Health – Abdomen Concept Lab
  • Shadow Health – Musculoskeletal Assignment
  • Lab worksheet
  • Assessment Video (online course)

Week 9: 10/23/2025

  • Exam 2 – Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 0800(Covers weeks 6-8)
 
Week 10: 10/30/2025 Chapter 18, 19, 20

  • Assessing the Female Breasts, Axillae, and Reproductive system – Chapter 18
  • Assessing the Male Breasts and Reproductive system – Chapter 19
  • Assessing the Anus and Rectum – Chapter 20
 
 
Week 11: 11/06/2025 Chapter 22, 24

  • Assessing the Child and Adolescent – Chapter 22
  • Assessing the Older Adult – Chapter 24
  • Shadow Health - Focused Exam – Cough
  • Shadow Health - Focused Exam – Chest Pain
 
Week 12: 11/13/2025 Open Practice Lab

  • Shadow Health – Comprehensive Assessment
  • Shadow Health - Discharge
  • Integrated Physical Assessment Practice
 
Week 13: 11/20/2025

  • Integrated Physical Assessment Check-offs
  • Submit Integrated Physical Assessment Documents
  • Shadow Health – Comprehensive Assessment (began in week 12)
 
Week 14: 11/27/2025

  • Thanksgiving Holiday
 
 
Week 15: 12/04/2025

  • Final Exam – December 4, 2025 at 0800 (Comprehensive Exam)

Major Assignments Schedule Exam I – Thursday September 25, 2025 at 0800
Exam II – Thursday October 23, 2025 at 0800  
Final Exam – Thursday December 4, 2025 at 0800.            
Integrated Physical Assessment: The integrated physical assessment is the culminating assignment for the course and involves completion of a cephalocaudal physical assessment at the end of the course. The integrated physical assessment is a mandatory assignment and counts as 20% of the student’s course grade. The student will be evaluated based on the integrated physical assessment form criteria. The student is expected to complete the assessment in 30 minutes.  Failure of this assignment results in failure of the entire course regardless of the grades for other assignments.  In the event the student misses their scheduled checkoff time with notification of their instructor, or fails to score at least 75% on the assessment, the student will be allowed one makeup attempt. The average score between the first and second attempts will be the student’s grade on the assessment.  The student will sign up for a time to complete their assessment with course faculty.  Faculty or MSN-prepared observer will complete the required documents and return them to the student to be submitted within the course in Week 14. The student must submit the documents in order to receive a grade.  
Final Exam Date December 4, 2025 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 4, 2025 - 10:00 AM
Grading Scale
90-100 = A 80-89 = B 75-79 = C 74-60 = D 59 or Below = F

Determination of
Final Grade
A final course grade of 75% is necessary for the student to pass this course.  The final course grade is calculated as follows: 
Exam 1 = 20%, Exam 2 = 20%, Lab grade = 15%, Integrated Physical Assessment = 20% and Final Exam = 25%. 
Lab grade (15% of final course grade) IncludesRequired Shadow Health Assignments, Lab attendance/participation, Lab Worksheets, any other in-class or pre-class assignments required by the instructor.

 
Lab Attendance – Student attendance and participation in lab is mandatory to be successful in the course.Students will be required to upload their assigned completed lab worksheets.
Point deductions:  Late points, up to ten points per day, will be deducted if any graded assignment is submitted after the date and time due – No Exceptions. 
Exams:All exams must be taken.  Students will be allocated a specific amount of time for each exam. Students unable to take a scheduled exam due to an extreme emergency must notify the instructor prior to the exam.  All exams will be taken in the Allied Health and Science Computer Lab. If an exam is missed, the numerical grade attained on the Final exam will be substituted for one missed exam.       
Examinations are based on course objectives.  Course content from the biological and behavioral sciences as well as previous nursing knowledge may be included on exams, as appropriate.
Evaluation of Examinations:Exam items missed by 50% or more in this course are reviewed.

Course Policies
Instructor Policies
Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated.  Please consult the Student Handbookfor consequences of academic dishonesty.  These policies will be strictly enforced.   Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of scholastic dishonesty are prohibited and are grounds for disciplinary action according to the LSC-PA Student Handbook. Anyone who copies more than six consecutive words from a source and does not document the source has committed plagiarism. Students guilty of academic misconduct either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition, to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular LSC-PA procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course. Electronic devices (including but not restricted to cell phones, MP3 players, and laptop computers) shall not be used during examinations or upon review of exams unless the Disability Services Coordinator has determined that such a device is a reasonable accommodation for a disability. Under any other circumstances, the use of an electronic device during an examination shall be considered academic dishonesty, and will result in appropriate sanctions as outlined in the Course Syllabus, in the Faculty Handbook (Section IX-1) and in the Student Handbook (“Academic Dishonesty”)
TEXAS BOARD OF NURSING CHAPTER 213 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
RULE 213.27 Good Professional Character:
(a) Good professional character is the integrated pattern of personal, academic and occupational behaviors which, in the judgment of the Board, indicates that an individual is able to consistently conform his or her conduct to the requirements of the Nursing Practice Act, the Board's rules and regulations, and generally accepted standards of nursing practice including, but not limited to, behaviors indicating honesty, accountability, trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity.

Attendance Policy Research hasshown acauseand effectrelationship between attendanceand collegesuccess. Policiesforthis coursearedescribed below:
·      Studentscannotmeettheobjectivesof thecoursewithout completing courseassignments.  Students putatrisktheirsuccessin thecourseiftheymissanyassignment deadlines.
·      Itis thestudent’sresponsibilitytonotifytheinstructor if they are unable to meet an assignment deadline.
A student who is absent from course activities for more than three (3) days may be dropped from the program by the Program Director. 
Additional Information None.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Allied Health
Chair:Shirley MacNeill
Email:macneisb@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6365