Walden University NURS-6512: Advanced Health Assessment –
Practical Exam Study Case
COURSE OVERVIEW & EXAM FORMAT
NURS-6512 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic
Reasoning equips advanced practice nurses with the knowledge
and skills to provide safe, competent, and comprehensive physical
health assessments across the lifespan. Students learn to use
diagnostic reasoning, advanced communication, and physical
assessment skills to identify changes in health patterns.
The Practical Exam typically includes:
1. Comprehensive Head-to-Toe Assessment Video: Students
record themselves performing a complete physical
examination on a volunteer patient. This assesses your ability
to correctly perform and verbalize examination techniques.
2. Documentation: You will be required to document your
findings in a SOAP note (Subjective, Objective, Assessment,
Plan) or another structured format.
3. Diagnostic Reasoning: You may be presented with case
studies requiring you to interpret findings, formulate
differential diagnoses, and develop a plan of care.
4. Written Examination: Some practical exams include a written
component with questions on examination techniques,
normal vs. abnormal findings, and clinical reasoning.
,PART 1: SETUP & PREPARATION FOR THE PRACTICAL EXAM
Before You Begin Recording:
1. Scan the Room: Show the entire room before starting to
demonstrate a safe and private environment.
2. Introduce Yourself: State your name, your role (NP student
from Walden University), and greet your patient.
3. Verify Patient Identity: Ask for the patient's first name, age,
and date of birth.
4. Assess Mental Status: Conduct a brief mental status
examination, such as asking the patient to draw a clock face
showing a specific time. State that the patient was able to
correctly complete the task, indicating intact mental status.
5. Obtain Verbal Consent: State that you have explained the
procedure and obtained verbal consent to proceed.
6. Ensure Proper Draping: Maintain patient modesty throughout
the examination.
PART 2: SYSTEM-BY-SYSTEM ASSESSMENT
A. GENERAL SURVEY & SKIN
Inspection:
, • Begin with an overall visual inspection of the skin surface,
checking both anterior and posterior skin that is uncovered.
• Observe for color, texture, lesions, masses, infection, or
infestation.
• Note body hair distribution.
• Assess skin turgor: "Skin turgor is good".
• Assess temperature: "Temperature is within normal limits,
warm and dry".
Nails:
• Inspect fingernails for color, shape, and integrity.
• Assess capillary refill: Should be less than 2 seconds.
• Check for clubbing.
Feet:
• Inspect for skin breakdown, nail discoloration, ulceration, or
infection.
Key Abnormal Findings to Recognize:
Finding Possible Significance
Jaundice Liver disease, hemolysis
Cyanosis Hypoxia, poor perfusion
Practical Exam Study Case
COURSE OVERVIEW & EXAM FORMAT
NURS-6512 Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic
Reasoning equips advanced practice nurses with the knowledge
and skills to provide safe, competent, and comprehensive physical
health assessments across the lifespan. Students learn to use
diagnostic reasoning, advanced communication, and physical
assessment skills to identify changes in health patterns.
The Practical Exam typically includes:
1. Comprehensive Head-to-Toe Assessment Video: Students
record themselves performing a complete physical
examination on a volunteer patient. This assesses your ability
to correctly perform and verbalize examination techniques.
2. Documentation: You will be required to document your
findings in a SOAP note (Subjective, Objective, Assessment,
Plan) or another structured format.
3. Diagnostic Reasoning: You may be presented with case
studies requiring you to interpret findings, formulate
differential diagnoses, and develop a plan of care.
4. Written Examination: Some practical exams include a written
component with questions on examination techniques,
normal vs. abnormal findings, and clinical reasoning.
,PART 1: SETUP & PREPARATION FOR THE PRACTICAL EXAM
Before You Begin Recording:
1. Scan the Room: Show the entire room before starting to
demonstrate a safe and private environment.
2. Introduce Yourself: State your name, your role (NP student
from Walden University), and greet your patient.
3. Verify Patient Identity: Ask for the patient's first name, age,
and date of birth.
4. Assess Mental Status: Conduct a brief mental status
examination, such as asking the patient to draw a clock face
showing a specific time. State that the patient was able to
correctly complete the task, indicating intact mental status.
5. Obtain Verbal Consent: State that you have explained the
procedure and obtained verbal consent to proceed.
6. Ensure Proper Draping: Maintain patient modesty throughout
the examination.
PART 2: SYSTEM-BY-SYSTEM ASSESSMENT
A. GENERAL SURVEY & SKIN
Inspection:
, • Begin with an overall visual inspection of the skin surface,
checking both anterior and posterior skin that is uncovered.
• Observe for color, texture, lesions, masses, infection, or
infestation.
• Note body hair distribution.
• Assess skin turgor: "Skin turgor is good".
• Assess temperature: "Temperature is within normal limits,
warm and dry".
Nails:
• Inspect fingernails for color, shape, and integrity.
• Assess capillary refill: Should be less than 2 seconds.
• Check for clubbing.
Feet:
• Inspect for skin breakdown, nail discoloration, ulceration, or
infection.
Key Abnormal Findings to Recognize:
Finding Possible Significance
Jaundice Liver disease, hemolysis
Cyanosis Hypoxia, poor perfusion
