Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us
- 4.8
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Approx. 14 hours to complete
Course Summary
This course teaches the basics of vital signs including how to measure and interpret them. It also covers more advanced topics such as how to recognize and respond to abnormal vital signs.Key Learning Points
- Understand the importance of vital signs in patient assessment
- Learn how to accurately measure and interpret vital signs
- Recognize abnormal vital sign patterns and how to respond appropriately
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Ability to accurately measure and interpret vital signs
- Understanding of abnormal vital sign patterns and appropriate response
- Improved patient assessment and healthcare communication skills
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology
- Access to equipment for measuring vital signs
Course Difficulty Level
BeginnerCourse Format
- Self-paced online course
- Video lectures
- Interactive quizzes
Similar Courses
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- First Aid
- Emergency Medicine
Related Education Paths
Related Books
Description
The vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, and pain – communicate important information about the physiological status of the human body. In this six-part course we explore the anatomy and physiology underlying the vital signs so that you will develop a systematic, integrated understanding of how the body functions. Relevant body systems are reviewed including cardiovascular and respiratory, followed by explanations of how the function of these systems affects vital signs. We discuss normal ranges, normal variants, and the mechanisms that underlie changes in the objective measurement of vital signs. The course also includes demonstrations of appropriate techniques for measuring vital signs in yourself and others.
Outline
- Week 1: Pulse/Heart Rate
- 1.1 Basic Heart Anatomy
- 1.2a Your Beating Heart
- 1.2b ECG Demonstration
- 1.3a Heart Valves, Part 1
- 1.3b Heart Valves, Part 2
- 1.3c Assessing Heart Rate Demonstration
- 1.4a Cardiac Cycle, Part 1
- 1.4b Cardiac Cycle, Part 2
- 1.4c Assessing Pulse Demonstration
- 1.5 Cardiac Output
- Week 1 Lecture Outline
- Week 1 In-Video Quizzes
- Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)
- Week 1 Quiz
- Week 2: Blood Pressure
- 2.1 Introduction to the Blood Vessels
- 2.2 Blood Vessel Structure
- 2.3 Blood Circulation
- 2.4a Maintaining Blood Flow
- 2.4b Assessing Blood Pressure Demonstration
- 2.5 Blood Pressure Regulation
- Week 2 Lecture Outline
- Week 2 In-video Quizzes
- Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)
- Week 2 Quiz
- Week 3: Metabolism
- 3.1 Introduction to Metabolism
- 3.2a Cellular Respiration, Part 1
- 3.2b Cellular Respiration, Part 2
- 3.3 Assessing Metabolic Rate Demonstration
- 3.4 Metabolic Lab Discussion
- Week 3 Lecture Outline
- Week 3 In-video Quizzes
- Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)
- Week 3 Quiz
- Week 4: Temperature
- 4.1 Introduction to Thermoregulation
- 4.2 Maintaining Body Temperature
- 4.3 Hypothermia & Hyperthermia
- 4.4 Fever
- 4.5 Assessing Body Temperature Demonstration
- Week 4 Lecture Outline
- Week 4 In-video Quizzes
- Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)
- Week 4 Quiz
- Week 5: Respiration Rate
- 5.1 Basic Anatomy of the Respiratory System
- 5.2 Anatomy of Ventilation
- 5.3 The Mechanics of Breathing
- 5.4 Gas Exchange
- 5.5 Regulating Respiration Rate
- 5.6 Assessing Respiration Rate Demonstration
- 5.7 Regulating Respiration Rate Review
- 5.8 Assessing Breath Sounds Demonstration
- Week 5 Lecture Outline
- Week 5 In-video Quizzes
- Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)
- Week 5 Quiz
- Week 6: Pain
- 6.1 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 1
- 6.2 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 2
- 6.3 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 3
- 6.4 Types of Pain
- 6.5 Assessing Pain Demonstration
- 6.6 Social, Cultural & Psychological Influences on Pain
- 6.7 The Treatment of Pain
- 6.8 Wrapping Up Vital Signs
- Week 6 Lecture Outline
- Week 6 In-video Quizzes
- Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)
- Self-Regulated Learning in MOOCs Research
- Week 6 Quiz
Summary of User Reviews
Discover the Vital Signs and learn how to interpret and measure them in this comprehensive online course. Students have praised the course for its engaging content and useful insights into healthcare. One key aspect that many users appreciated was the practical application of knowledge that they gained from the course.Pros from User Reviews
- Engaging content that keeps students interested
- Useful insights into healthcare and vital signs
- Practical application of knowledge gained from the course
- Clear and concise explanations of complex concepts
- Good pacing and structure of the course
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the course to be too basic
- Limited interaction with instructors and other students
- Not enough hands-on practice with measuring vital signs
- Some technical issues with the platform
- No certificate or accreditation offered upon completion
Connie B. Scanga, PhD
4.8 Raiting
Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us
- 4.8
-
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The vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, and pain – communicate important information about the physiological status of the human body....
