THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-HOUSTON

HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER

CIZIK SCHOOL OF NURSING
DEPARTMENT OF GRADUATE STUDIES

N6152W
ADVANCED PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS DIDACTIC

Kathleen L. Siders, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Assistant Professor of Nursing-Clinical
Office No: 794
Office Phone No: 713-500-2095
Mobile No: 281-684-8325
Email: Kathleen.L.Siders@uth.tmc.edu

Kala Christopherson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Assistant Professor of Nursing-Clinical
Office No: 761
Office Phone No: 713-500-2032
Mobile No: 409-659-8934
Email: Kala.A.Christopherson@uth.tmc.edu

SYLLABUS
Summer 2019
 UTHEALTH CIZIK SCHOOL OF NURSING
DEPARTMENT OF GRADUATE STUDIES

Course Title: ADVANCED PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS DIDACTIC

Course Number: N6152W

Course Description: This foundational course addresses the theoretical principles

of history taking and physical health assessment throughout
the life cycle. Students will develop advanced physical
assessment and critical thinking diagnostic skills through the
organization of data, interpretation and analysis of objective
and subjective findings, identification of normal and
abnormal findings, and reporting of these findings in a
standard format. They will also learn the principles and
application of differential diagnosis.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing

Semester Hours: 2 Semester hours (2 didactic hours)

Faculty: Kathleen L. Siders, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Kala Christopherson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will have had the
opportunity to:

1. Systematically apply a problem-solving approach to the collection, interpretation,

synthesis, and communication of relevant subjective and objective data. (M1-2, E1,8-9,
C1-3)

2. Differentiate normal and abnormal findings, and apply the process of differential
diagnosis. (M1-3, E1,8-9, C1,9)

3. Provide assessment findings and hypotheses derived from the synthesis of data.
(M1-2, E1,9, C1-2)
 Methods of Instruction: Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI): This course is web based. Course
theory content is online.PowerPoint presentations, Panopto lectures, textbook readings,
additional readings, and other course materials are posted online.

Evaluation: Quizzes/Assignments 5%
Examination 1 18%
Examination 2 18%
Examination 3 18%
Examination 4 18%
Comprehensive Final Exam 18%
HESI Exit Exam 5%

TOTAL 100%

Quizzes/Assignments:
Quizzes and assignments are conducted over the assigned weekly content. Quizzes and
assignments are offered throughout the assigned week and no makeup quizzes or assignments
will be given for a missed quiz/assignment. A late or missed quiz/assignment will result in a
zero.

Examinations:
Examinations will be based on online presentations, resources, reading assignments, CAI, and
behavioral objectives. There will be NO make-up exams. Students will be given the option of
testing on campus or through ProctorU.

In the event of an emergent absence, the student will notify the course faculty prior to the exam
by email. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence. If the absence is not excused,
a zero will be earned for the exam.

In the event of an excused absence, the student will not take the exam, and the course grade
will be based on 3 exams, the final exam, and HESI. The student must be present for a
minimum of 3 of the set scheduled exams and the comprehensive final to complete the course.
The comprehensive final exam and HESI is mandatory without exception.

If a student arrives up to 30 minutes late to an exam, the student may take the test in the
remaining time. If the student arrives later than 30 minutes after the official exam start time, the
student will receive a zero.

NOTE: Partial points for the exams and final grade will be rounded to the nearest full point, e.g.
89.4 = 89 (B); 89.5 = 90 (A).
A final grade of 80% is required to pass this course.
 Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth
Testing Guidelines for On-Campus MSN Based Testing

All testing within the Cizik School of Nursing (SON) at UTHealth follows the testing guidelines
outlined in the SON Student Handbook in order to provide fair and consistent testing for all
students taking examinations on campus. Any breach of the testing guidelines will be dealt with
according to SON HOOP Policy 186 Student Conduct and Discipline
https://www.uth.edu/hoop/policy.htm?id=1448220 which may include academic consequences
ranging from failing examination grades to possible expulsion (permanent separation from the
institution).

Audience · This information is intended for UTHealth MSN SON students with
examinations on campus at the SON.
·

Rationale · Testing guidelines are established to create fair and optimal

conditions for all students to demonstrate their knowledge through testing.
Professional conduct is demonstrated through compliance with the
standards for behavior in the testing environment identified below.
·

Academic · Students are expected to abide by the Hoop Policy 186 Student
Integrity Conduct and Discipline in all testing situations.
· Academic dishonesty is a serious breach of academic integrity and
will be dealt with according to HOOP Policy 186.
Testing Students must have two forms of approved identification (ID) (see course
Room syllabus) for testing for admission to the testing room. Once checked in,
Procedures the badge should be placed face up on the desk.

1. All belongings must be placed at the front, back, or against wall

as directed by course faculty in the testing room prior to the
testing session. Students are required to remove any caps and
scarves, except religious garments, and leave them with their
belongings. However, faculty reserve the right to inspect any
personal belongings of the student during testing.
2. The faculty and/or proctor will provide blank paper if they are
permitted.
3. All electronic devices (cell phones/pager/iPad, smart watch, etc.)
must be set to the off position and placed with belongings.
Any students found to have an electronic device in their
possession during an examination will receive a zero grade for
that examination.
4. Students will be seated as directed by faculty and/ or proctors.
5. All test materials are private and students are responsible for not
placing a test/answer sheet/positioning computer screen where it
can be viewed by another student. Attempts to see other
students’ work or sharing one’s own work will be considered as
evidence of academic dishonesty.
6. Students are strongly encouraged to take care of all comfort
needs prior to entering the testing room.
7. Students are responsible for knowing their log-on information,
uploading their exam, and following exam instructions outlined by
the faculty.
8. If students have questions regarding test items, comments
should be submitted in accordance to faculty directions.
9. Students will not be allowed back into the testing room after they
have completed their test and are expected to leave the testing
area/ hallways as a consideration to those still testing.
10. The proctors will collect all scratch paper, if used.
11. No food or drink is allowed unless permission is obtained from
the faculty.
12. Children are not allowed in the building during the exam, classes,
or labs.
 Punctuality · For scheduled tests, additional testing time will not be provided in
the event of tardiness.
· The faculty will follow procedure as outlined in course syllabus.
·

Absence · Refer to the course syllabus in the event of an absence from an

from exam.
Exams

Make-up · Refer to the course syllabus for makeup-exam policies.

Exams

Test · Refer to the course syllabus for the testing schedule.

Scheduling

Deferral of · Refer to the course syllabus for final exam policies.

Final
Exams

1
UTHealth reserves the right to change policies and procedures affecting students. Please
refer to the Student Handbook and HOOP policies for latest policies and procedures.

Approved by Masters Council: 11/10/2017

Required Text:
Bickley, L. S. & Szilagyi, P. G. (2017). Bates’ guide to physical examination and history taking,
12th ED. Wolters Kluwer: Philadelphia, PA.
Goolsby, M. J. & Grubbs, L. (2019). Advanced assessment: Interpreting findings and
formulating differential diagnoses, 4th ED. F. A Davis: Philadelphia, PA.
Recommended Text:
Rhoads, J. & Penick, J. C. (2018). Formulating a differential diagnosis for the advanced
practice provider, 2cd ED. Springer: New York, NY.

Learning Resources: Most modules have a variety of resources that will facilitate learning.

Faculty availability: Students are encouraged to contact both faculty for any reason pertaining
to the course. Please email or make an appointment to meet with the faculty.

Required Software: This course utilizes Canvas for CAI. Office 365, a media player, and
Adobe Reader are recommended software.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Course faculty offers students the opportunity to be successful in academic studies. It is
possible that personal events and learning styles can interfere with one’s ability to learn and
therefore maintain passing grades in a course. Throughout the semester, the student is
responsible to track progression of his/her grades. In the event that the student has difficulty
with assignments or falls below a passing grade, the student has the responsibility to contact
faculty and determine a plan to maintain passing grades. In the event of any academic
difficulty, resources are available in the School of Nursing to help the student achieve success.
The student can consider the following:
1. Contact course faculty to discuss academic progress.
2. Contact your academic advisor.
3. Work with the UT Health Cizik SON’s Graduate Coach, Olivia Fitch, on test taking and/ or
study skills. Contact the Graduate Coach for student tutoring assistance:
Olivia.M.Fitch@uth.tmc.edu
4. Contact the free Student Assistance and Counseling Services at
https://www.uth.edu/studenthealth/ or 713-500-5171 & 713-500-5173 (after hours). The
Emergency Crisis Hotline at 713-500-4688.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

The faculty and the students of The UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing expect that every student
will maintain a high standard of individual honor and academic honesty while studying at this
school. Any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty is subject to discipline.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the
submission of any work or materials for credit that are attributable in whole or in part to another
person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to
a student or the attempt to commit such acts, Rules, Section 3.22. (Policy number S1020).
 PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is using another person’s work or ideas without giving credit. Plagiarism is dishonest
because it misrepresents the work of another as your own. This includes both copying the work
verbatim or rephrasing the ideas of another without properly acknowledging the source. When
preparing work for course requirements, such as papers, care plans, take home examinations,
etc., students must be careful to differentiate between their ideas and language, and information
derived from other sources. Sources include but are not limited to published and unpublished
materials, the Internet and information and opinions gained directly from other people including
faculty. Whenever ideas or facts are obtained from a student’s reading and research, the
sources must be properly cited according to standards set by the Cizik School of Nursing and
contained in the current edition of Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association.

Plagiarism is considered a violation of academic integrity and professional honesty. Students

who are found to have plagiarized may be subject to disciplinary action. Penalties may include
but are not limited to failure on the assignment, failure in the course, suspension from the
program or expulsion from the school.

Collaboration in the completion of written assignments is prohibited unless explicitly permitted

by the instructor. Students must acknowledge any collaboration and its extent in all submitted
coursework.

Adapted from Harvard Extension College, the University of Houston (Central Campus), and the
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION
An attempt will be made to provide reasonable academic accommodations to students
that request them in accordance with 504/ADA guidelines. See the UTHealth Disability
Accommodation policy found on the Cizik SON Website under Current Students for
details. Please provide disability accommodation documentation to the course section
faculty the first week of the semester in order to guarantee separate testing room
facilities.