NR514 Assignment Module 3: Shadow Health Assignment – Focused Exam – Cough

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Course
NR514 Health Assessment
Assignment Overview

This assignment provides the opportunity to conduct a focused exam on a patient presenting with a cough. Interview the patient, assess the related body systems, and then transfer care to your preceptor. You will earn points on the Digital Clinical Experience (DCE) score during Shadow Health activities for how well you identify and respond to opportunities to emphasize and educate your patients. Please note: there will be no rounding up of DCE score.

Assignment Instructions
  1. Access Shadow Health. You will complete all assessment assignments using the Shadow Health virtual reality simulation platform.
  2. Complete the Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experience Focused Exam Cough and post-activity survey.
  3. After completing the assignment, download your Lab Pass from Shadow Health. You will need this to show the completion of the assignment.
 How to Approach This Assignment

  • Log into Shadow Health and review the objectives before beginning the focused exam.

  • Begin with a thorough patient interview using open-ended and follow-up questions.

  • Explore the history of the present illness (onset, duration, severity, associated symptoms).

  • Ask about related respiratory and systemic symptoms (fever, shortness of breath, sputum production, chest pain).

  • Assess relevant body systems, especially respiratory and cardiovascular.

  • Identify risk factors such as smoking, allergies, asthma, recent illness, or exposure history.

  • Perform all required physical assessment components within the simulation.

  • Provide patient education when appropriate (medication use, symptom management, when to seek care).

  • Accurately transfer care to your preceptor using clear and organized communication.

  • Complete the post-activity survey and download the Lab Pass for submission.

Key Concepts to Focus On

  • Focused respiratory assessment

  • OLDCARTS or similar symptom analysis framework

  • Lung sounds (wheezes, crackles, diminished sounds)

  • Differentiating productive vs. nonproductive cough

  • Infection vs. chronic respiratory conditions

  • Patient education related to cough management

  • Clear and concise handoff communication

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Asking only basic questions without exploring symptom details

  • Forgetting to assess associated symptoms

  • Skipping relevant physical exam components

  • Missing abnormal cues in the simulation

  • Providing incomplete patient education

  • Poor organization when transferring care to the preceptor

  • Forgetting to download and upload the Lab Pass

  • Assuming DCE scores will be rounded up

Need a Structured Sample Solution?

A professionally formatted Focused Exam: Cough Sample Solution (PDF) is available for learning and reference purposes. This guide demonstrates a structured interview, focused assessment, and proper transfer of care to maximize DCE scoring opportunities.

Download Full Sample Solution (PDF)