This document outlines an assignment focused on the use of diagnostic tests and assessment tools for identifying health conditions in adults and children, emphasizing the importance of validity and reliability. Students are tasked with researching specific tools or tests, evaluating their effectiveness, and considering sensitivities in gathering health-related information from families. The assignment includes guidance on resources and key factors in conducting assessments while being sensitive to the needs of patients.

1. Assignment 1: Case Study Assignment: Assessment Tools and
Diagnostic Tests in Adults and Children
When seeking to identify a patient’s health condition, advanced
practice nurses can use a diverse selection of diagnostic tests
and assessment tools; however, different factors affect the
validity and reliability of the results produced by these tests or
tools. Nurses must be aware of these factors in order to select
the most appropriate test or tool and to accurately interpret the
results.
Not only do these diagnostic tests affect adults, body
measurements can provide a general picture of whether a child
is receiving adequate nutrition or is at risk for health issues.
These data, however, are just one aspect to be considered.
Lifestyle, family history, and culture—among other factors—are
also relevant. That said, gathering and communicating this
information can be a delicate process.
For this Assignment, you will consider the validity and
reliability of different assessment tools and diagnostic tests.
You will explore issues such as sensitivity, specificity, and
positive and negative predictive values. You will also consider
examples of children with various weight issues. You will
explore how you could effectively gather information and
encourage parents and caregivers to be proactive about their
children’s health and weight.
To Prepare
· Review this week’s Learning Resources and consider factors
that impact the validity and reliability of various assessment
tools and diagnostic tests. You also will review examples of

2. pediatric patients and their families as it relates to BMI.
· By Day 1 of this week, you will be assigned to one of the
following Assignment options by your Instructor: Adult
Assessment Tools or Diagnostic Tests (option 1), or Child
Health Case (Option 2).
Note:
Please see the “Course Announcements” section of the
classroom for your assignments from your Instructor.
· Search the Walden Library and credible sources for resources
explaining the tool or test you were assigned. What is its
purpose, how is it conducted, and what information does it
gather?
· Also, as you search the Walden library and credible sources,
consider what the literature discusses regarding the validity,
reliability, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, ethical
dilemmas, and controversies related to the test or tool.
· If you are assigned Assignment Option 2 (Child), consider
what health issues and risks may be relevant to the child in the
health example.
o Based on the risks you identified, consider what further
information you would need to gain a full understanding of the
child’s health. Think about how you could gather this
information in a sensitive fashion.
o Consider how you could encourage parents or caregivers to be
proactive toward the child’s health.
The Assignment:
My assignment topic this week is
:

3. mammograms
Assignment
(3–4 pages, not including title and reference pages)
:
Assignment Option 1: Adult Assessment Tools or Diagnostic
Tests:
Include the following:
· A description of how the assessment tool or diagnostic test
you were assigned is used in healthcare.
o What is its purpose?
o How is it conducted?
o What information does it gather?
· Based on your research, evaluate the test or the tool’s validity
and reliability, and explain any issues with sensitivity,
reliability, and predictive values. Include references in
appropriate APA formatting.
Required readings
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., &
Stewart, R. W. (2019). Seidel's guide to physical examination:
An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier
Mosby.
Chapter 3, “Examination Techniques and Equipment”
This chapter explains the physical examination techniques of
inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. This chapter

4. also explores special issues and equipment relevant to the
physical exam process.
Chapter 8, “Growth and Nutrition”
In this chapter, the authors explain examinations for growth,
gestational age, and pubertal development. The authors also
differentiate growth among the organ systems.
Chapter 5, “Recording Information” (Previously read in Week
1)
This chapter provides rationale and methods for maintaining
clear and accurate records. The text also explores the legal
aspects of patient records.
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., &
Stewart, R. W. (2019). Student checklist: Health history guide.
In Seidel's guide to physical examination (9th ed.). St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Credit Line: Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination, 9th
Edition by Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B.
S., & Stewart, R. W. Copyright 2019 by Elsevier Health
Sciences. Reprinted by permission of Elsevier Health Sciences
via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Childhood
overweight and obesity. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood
This website provides information about overweight and obese
children. Additionally, the website provides basic facts about
obesity and strategies to counteracting obesity.
Chaudhry, M. A. I., & Nisar, A. (2017). Escalating health care

5. cost due to unnecessary diagnostic testing. Mehran University
Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, (3), 569.
This study explores the escalating healthcare cost due the
unnecessary use of diagnostic testing. Consider the impact of
health insurance coverage in each state and how nursing
professionals must be cognizant when ordering diagnostics for
different individuals.
Dains, J. E., Baumann, L. C., & Scheibel, P. (2019). Advanced
health assessment and clinical diagnosis in primary care (6th
ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Credit Line: Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical
Diagnosis in Primary Care, 6th Edition by Dains, J.E.,
Baumann, L. C., & Scheibel, P. Copyright 2019 by Mosby.
Reprinted by permission of Mosby via the Copyright Clearance
Center.
Chapter 1, “Clinical Reasoning, Evidence-Based Practice, and
Symptom Analysis”
This chapter introduces the diagnostic process, which includes
performing an analysis of the symptoms and then formulating
and testing a hypothesis. The authors discuss how becoming an
expert clinician takes time and practice in developing clinical
judgment.
Gibbs , H., & Chapman-Novakofski, K. (2012). Exploring
nutrition literacy: Attention to assessment and the skills clients
need. Health, 4(3), 120–124.
This study explores nutrition literacy. The authors examine the
level of attention paid to health literacy among nutrition
professionals and the skills and knowledge needed to understand
nutrition education.

6. Martin, B. C., Dalton, W. T., Williams, S. L., Slawson, D. L.,
Dunn, M. S., & Johns-Wommack, R. (2014). Weight status
misperception as related to selected health risk behaviors among
middle school students. Journal of School Health, 84(2), 116–
123. doi:10.1111/josh.12128
Credit Line: Weight status misperception as related to selected
health risk behaviors among middle school students by Martin,
B. C., Dalton, W. T., Williams, S. L., Slawson, D. L., Dunn, M.
S., & Johns-Wommack, R., in Journal of School Health, Vol.
84/Issue 2. Copyright 2014 by Blackwell Publishing. Reprinted
by permission of Blackwell Publishing via the Copyright
Clearance Center.
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2015) Issues of validity and reliability
in qualitative research . Evidence Based Nursing, 18(2), pp. 34–
35.
Seidel, H. M., Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon,
B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2011). History subjective data
checklist. In Mosby’s guide to physical examination (7th ed.).
St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Credit Line: Mosby’s Guide to Physical Examination, 7th
Edition by Seidel, H. M., Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A.,
Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. Copyright 2011 by Elsevier.
Reprinted by permission of Elsevier via the Copyright
Clearance Center.
This History Subjective Data Checklist was published as a
companion to Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination (8th ed.)
by Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., & Flynn, J.A. Copyright Elsevier
(2015). From
https://evolve.elsevier.com

7. Sullivan, D. D. (2019). Guide to clinical documentation (3rd
ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis.
Chapter 2, "The Comprehensive History and Physical Exam"
(Previously read in Week 1)
Chapter 5, "Pediatric Preventative Care Visits" (pp. 91 101)