Here are the exact assignment instructions for Week 4 of NURS 6512: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning at Walden University.
Note: NURS 6512 is Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning (not Advanced Pathophysiology, which is NURS 6501). Week 4 focuses on Assessment of the Skin, Hair, and Nails (Integumentary System).
Week 4 Lab Assignment: Differential Diagnosis for Skin Conditions
Official Walden Instructions (standard wording from recent terms):
Lab Assignment: Differential Diagnosis for Skin Conditions
Properly identifying the cause and type of a patient’s skin condition involves a process of elimination known as differential diagnosis. Using visual inspection and other available data, advanced practice nurses can identify the most likely condition and rule out others.
For this Lab Assignment, you will choose one of the skin condition graphics provided in the Resources (or assigned by your Instructor). You will then create a differential diagnosis for the skin condition and develop a comprehensive SOAP note.
To Prepare

Review the Skin Conditions document in this week’s Learning Resources and select one of the graphics (images of skin conditions) to use for this Lab Assignment.
Review the SOAP Note Template and the SOAP Note Exemplar provided in the Resources.
Review the Week 4 Learning Resources on assessment of the skin, hair, and nails.
Consider the abnormal physical characteristics of the skin condition you selected.

The Assignment
Choose one skin condition graphic from the provided images.
Develop a differential diagnosis for the skin condition.
Then, using the SOAP Note Template, write a comprehensive SOAP note for the patient with the skin condition you selected. Your SOAP note should address the following:

Subjective: Include chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, medications, allergies, social history, family history, and review of systems as relevant.
Objective: Document physical exam findings, including a detailed description of the skin lesion(s) using appropriate dermatologic terminology (e.g., location, distribution, color, shape, border, texture, size, etc.). Include vital signs if applicable.
Assessment: List 3–5 possible conditions in the differential diagnosis, ranked from most to least likely. Provide a brief rationale for each. Identify the most likely diagnosis.
Plan: Include diagnostic tests/labs (if any), treatment plan (pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic), patient education, health promotion, follow-up, and referrals as appropriate.

By Day 7 of Week 4
Submit your Lab Assignment (the completed SOAP note with differential diagnosis).
Reminder: The College of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references (if applicable). The Assignment must follow APA format (7th edition). Use scholarly writing and current references as needed.
Submission and Grading

Due by Day 7 of Week 4 (11:59 p.m. MT).
Points: 100.
Refer to the Week 4 Lab Assignment Rubric in your classroom for detailed grading criteria (emphasis on accurate description of the skin condition using proper terminology, quality of differential diagnosis with rationales, completeness of the SOAP note, evidence-based plan, and scholarly/APA quality).

Additional Week 4 Activities in NURS 6512

Shadow Health / Digital Clinical Experience (DCE): The Health History Assessment (Tina Jones) is typically due in Week 4 (it is often assigned in Week 3). You must achieve a minimum score (usually 80% or better) and submit the associated documentation.
Some terms include an i-Human Patients case study focused on an integumentary condition (e.g., rash, skin lesion) where you complete history, exam, differential diagnosis, and management plan.
Required readings and media focus on dermatologic assessment, terminology for skin lesions (primary/secondary, distribution patterns), hair/nail assessment, and common skin conditions.

Tips for Success (Based on Common Rubric):

Use precise dermatologic terminology (e.g., macule, papule, plaque, vesicle, pustule, scale, crust, erosion, ulcer, etc.).
Describe the lesion thoroughly: color, shape, border, texture, size, location, distribution (localized, generalized, symmetric, etc.), and any associated findings.
Build a strong differential diagnosis with rationale (e.g., psoriasis vs. eczema vs. fungal infection).
Ensure the Plan is realistic, evidence-based, and patient-centered.

These instructions reflect the standard NURS 6512 Week 4 Lab Assignment used across recent terms. Slight variations (e.g., specific graphics/images provided, use of i-Human vs. static graphic, or exact point values) can occur depending on your instructor or term.
Always verify the exact instructions, the specific skin condition graphic(s) assigned, due dates, and full rubric in your specific course classroom (Canvas) under Week 4 → Assignments and Announcements on Day 1.

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