Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us

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Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us

Coursera (CC)
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Description

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About this course: 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 demon…

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: 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. The course is designed for a broad, general audience but will be particularly interesting for individuals working in healthcare, those considering a career as a healthcare professional, lay caregivers, those with an interest in personal health and fitness, or anyone who simply wants to understand how the body functions.

Created by:  University of Pennsylvania
  • Taught by:  Connie B. Scanga, PhD, Practice Professor

    School of Nursing
Commitment 3-5 hours/week Language English, Subtitles: Dutch How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Week 1: Pulse/Heart Rate
This week we start our exploration of the vital signs with a look at the heart. We'll study the basic structure of the heart, think about how the heart pumps blood through the body, and learn how clinicians assess and think about heart rate and the pulse.


10 videos, 4 readings expand


  1. Reading: Week 1 Lecture Outline
  2. Reading: Week 1 In-Video Quizzes
  3. Video: 1.1 Basic Heart Anatomy
  4. Video: 1.2a Your Beating Heart
  5. Video: 1.2b ECG Demonstration
  6. Video: 1.3a Heart Valves, Part 1
  7. Video: 1.3b Heart Valves, Part 2
  8. Video: 1.3c Assessing Heart Rate Demonstration
  9. Video: 1.4a Cardiac Cycle, Part 1
  10. Video: 1.4b Cardiac Cycle, Part 2
  11. Video: 1.4c Assessing Pulse Demonstration
  12. Video: 1.5 Cardiac Output
  13. Reading: Optional Readings
  14. Reading: Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)

Graded: Week 1 Quiz

WEEK 2


Week 2: Blood Pressure
During week 2 we will learn about the anatomy of the blood vessels and how they function. You will have a better understanding of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and assessing blood pressure accurately.


6 videos, 4 readings expand


  1. Reading: Week 2 Lecture Outline
  2. Reading: Week 2 In-video Quizzes
  3. Video: 2.1 Introduction to the Blood Vessels
  4. Video: 2.2 Blood Vessel Structure
  5. Video: 2.3 Blood Circulation
  6. Video: 2.4a Maintaining Blood Flow
  7. Video: 2.4b Assessing Blood Pressure Demonstration
  8. Video: 2.5 Blood Pressure Regulation
  9. Reading: Optional Readings
  10. Reading: Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)

Graded: Week 2 Quiz

WEEK 3


Week 3: Metabolism
This week we will explore metabolism. We will discuss anabolism and catabolism, basal metabolic rate, how the body generates heat. You will also have a better understanding of how health care providers assess metabolic rate.


5 videos, 4 readings expand


  1. Reading: Week 3 Lecture Outline
  2. Reading: Week 3 In-video Quizzes
  3. Video: 3.1 Introduction to Metabolism
  4. Video: 3.2a Cellular Respiration, Part 1
  5. Video: 3.2b Cellular Respiration, Part 2
  6. Video: 3.3 Assessing Metabolic Rate Demonstration
  7. Video: 3.4 Metabolic Lab Discussion
  8. Reading: Optional Readings
  9. Reading: Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)

Graded: Week 3 Quiz

WEEK 4


Week 4: Temperature
During week 4 you will learn the definition of mean body temperature and how the body regulates temperature. We will discuss hypothermia and the difference between hyperthermia and fever. Lastly, you will learn how to assess body temperature.


5 videos, 4 readings expand


  1. Reading: Week 4 Lecture Outline
  2. Reading: Week 4 In-video Quizzes
  3. Video: 4.1 Introduction to Thermoregulation
  4. Video: 4.2 Maintaining Body Temperature
  5. Video: 4.3 Hypothermia & Hyperthermia
  6. Video: 4.4 Fever
  7. Video: 4.5 Assessing Body Temperature Demonstration
  8. Reading: Optional Readings
  9. Reading: Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)

Graded: Week 4 Quiz

WEEK 5


Week 5: Respiration Rate
This week we will learn about pulmonary anatomy, capillary gas exchange, and regulation of respiration. You will have a better understanding of how health care providers assess respiration rate and the quality of lung sounds.


8 videos, 4 readings expand


  1. Reading: Week 5 Lecture Outline
  2. Reading: Week 5 In-video Quizzes
  3. Video: 5.1 Basic Anatomy of the Respiratory System
  4. Video: 5.2 Anatomy of Ventilation
  5. Video: 5.3 The Mechanics of Breathing
  6. Video: 5.4 Gas Exchange
  7. Video: 5.5 Regulating Respiration Rate
  8. Video: 5.6 Assessing Respiration Rate Demonstration
  9. Video: 5.7 Regulating Respiration Rate Review
  10. Video: 5.8 Assessing Breath Sounds Demonstration
  11. Reading: Optional Readings
  12. Reading: Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)

Graded: Week 5 Quiz

WEEK 6


Week 6: Pain



This week we will explore the neurological pathways associated with pain, and the difference between pain tolerance and pain threshold. We will understand what pain is telling us and why accurately assessing and effectively managing pain are important. In addition, we will review how healthcare providers asses pain.


8 videos, 4 readings expand


  1. Reading: Week 6 Lecture Outline
  2. Reading: Week 6 In-video Quizzes
  3. Video: 6.1 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 1
  4. Video: 6.2 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 2
  5. Video: 6.3 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 3
  6. Video: 6.4 Types of Pain
  7. Video: 6.5 Assessing Pain Demonstration
  8. Video: 6.6 Social, Cultural & Psychological Influences on Pain
  9. Video: 6.7 The Treatment of Pain
  10. Video: 6.8 Wrapping Up Vital Signs
  11. Reading: Optional Readings
  12. Reading: Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files)

Graded: Week 6 Quiz
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