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Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us

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Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us

Instructor: Connie B. Scanga, PhD

437,220 already enrolled

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

6,912 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

6,912 reviews

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 6 modules in 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.

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.

What's included

10 videos3 readings1 assignment

10 videos Total 104 minutes

1.1 Basic Heart Anatomy 15 minutes
1.2a Your Beating Heart 11 minutes
1.2b ECG Demonstration 12 minutes
1.3a Heart Valves, Part 1 9 minutes
1.3b Heart Valves, Part 2 9 minutes
1.3c Assessing Heart Rate Demonstration 8 minutes
1.4a Cardiac Cycle, Part 1 7 minutes
1.4b Cardiac Cycle, Part 2 13 minutes
1.4c Assessing Pulse Demonstration 6 minutes
1.5 Cardiac Output 13 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Week 1 Lecture Outline 10 minutes
Week 1 In-Video Quizzes 10 minutes
Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files) 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Week 1 Quiz 30 minutes

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.

What's included

6 videos3 readings1 assignment

6 videos Total 65 minutes

2.1 Introduction to the Blood Vessels 8 minutes
2.2 Blood Vessel Structure 15 minutes
2.3 Blood Circulation 10 minutes
2.4a Maintaining Blood Flow 11 minutes
2.4b Assessing Blood Pressure Demonstration 11 minutes
2.5 Blood Pressure Regulation 9 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Week 2 Lecture Outline 10 minutes
Week 2 In-video Quizzes 10 minutes
Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files) 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Week 2 Quiz 30 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment

5 videos Total 53 minutes

3.1 Introduction to Metabolism 13 minutes
3.2a Cellular Respiration, Part 1 6 minutes
3.2b Cellular Respiration, Part 2 13 minutes
3.3 Assessing Metabolic Rate Demonstration 14 minutes
3.4 Metabolic Lab Discussion 6 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Week 3 Lecture Outline 10 minutes
Week 3 In-video Quizzes 10 minutes
Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files) 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Week 3 Quiz 30 minutes

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.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 assignment

5 videos Total 71 minutes

4.1 Introduction to Thermoregulation 18 minutes
4.2 Maintaining Body Temperature 15 minutes
4.3 Hypothermia & Hyperthermia 18 minutes
4.4 Fever 9 minutes
4.5 Assessing Body Temperature Demonstration 10 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Week 4 Lecture Outline 10 minutes
Week 4 In-video Quizzes 10 minutes
Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files) 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Week 4 Quiz 30 minutes

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.

What's included

8 videos3 readings1 assignment

8 videos Total 87 minutes

5.1 Basic Anatomy of the Respiratory System 11 minutes
5.2 Anatomy of Ventilation 11 minutes
5.3 The Mechanics of Breathing 10 minutes
5.4 Gas Exchange 14 minutes
5.5 Regulating Respiration Rate 22 minutes
5.6 Assessing Respiration Rate Demonstration 7 minutes
5.7 Regulating Respiration Rate Review 6 minutes
5.8 Assessing Breath Sounds Demonstration 7 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Week 5 Lecture Outline 10 minutes
Week 5 In-video Quizzes 10 minutes
Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files) 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Week 5 Quiz 30 minutes

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.

What's included

8 videos3 readings1 assignment

8 videos Total 86 minutes

6.1 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 1 17 minutes
6.2 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 2 10 minutes
6.3 The Anatomy & Physiology of Pain, Part 3 11 minutes
6.4 Types of Pain 9 minutes
6.5 Assessing Pain Demonstration 11 minutes
6.6 Social, Cultural & Psychological Influences on Pain 11 minutes
6.7 The Treatment of Pain 16 minutes
6.8 Wrapping Up Vital Signs 1 minute

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Week 6 Lecture Outline 10 minutes
Week 6 In-video Quizzes 10 minutes
Lecture Transcripts (SRT Files) 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Week 6 Quiz 30 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(1,894 ratings)

Connie B. Scanga, PhD

University of Pennsylvania

1 Course 437,220 learners

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

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Reviewed on Jun 19, 2024

This course was well instructed and included questioning that ensured the learner was engaged in the content. Dr. Skanga did an excellent job with the instruction and creation of this course.

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2020

Professor Connie was very clear, precise and informative in her approach to teaching students about the basics of vital signs. I hope she would continue to teach many more classes on coursera.

Reviewed on Oct 10, 2020

I really enjoyed the course. It looked at vital signs in a really different view from the traditional ways of looking at it and it was really informative. The practical sessions too were great. Nice!

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Frequently asked questions

Yes! You can access the full course, including assessments and all videos, through the Audit track. Learners also have the option of earning Course Certificate by submitting all assignments for a grade and purchasing the course for $49. Financial aid is available.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.