Principles of Physical Assessment

Gain the physical examination skills you need to enhance patient care and optimise service provisions in your role as a nurse or health professional.

During this module you will compare normal and abnormal findings from physical examination of a broad range of areas, including skin, nails, head, hair, eyes, ears, nose, throat and neck, while also exploring the physical assessments involved in the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardio, peripheral vascular, gastrointestinal and neurological systems.

With the experts at Staffordshire University, you will also explore mental health assessments and get to get to grips with the fundamental skills and knowledge required to take a comprehensive history and physical examination of the adult patient.

Duration

The module is delivered as a day in university, per week, for the first 11 weeks. You then have a period of 12 weeks to consolidate your theoretical learning in clinical practice.

You need to spend a minimum of 30 clinical learning hours in practice that have been signed off by your preceptor. These 30 hours must be accounted for in a learning log to be submitted with the practice assessment document.

Very Wednesday for 11 weeks

Term 1 Sept 2026 – Dec 2025

• September 8, 15, 22, 29
• October 6, 13, 20, 27
• November 3, 10, 17

Term 3 Apr 2027 – Aug 2027

• April 20, 27
• May 4, 11, 18, 25
• June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

In addition to these logged clinical hours, these 24 weeks comprise:

• 37 hours theory. This contact time includes that spent in the classroom or accessing directed activities in the virtual learning environment (Blackboard™).
• 83 hours independent study. This total is indicative of the amount of time required for reading around the topic, any assignment work and any clinical experience outside that completed with mentor. These hours do not need to be evidenced.