Assessing Vital Signs

Assessing Vital Signs free download

How to Assess Vital Signs

In this course, students will learn how to properly take temperatures using different kinds of thermometers, how to take a pulse using a variety of methods, how to assess blood pressure, and other vital signs.  Pulse oximetry and methods for properly measuring height and weight are discussed. This is for current or aspiring health care workers or for anyone serving as a care giver to a loved one.

The vital signs of body function are Temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure. These vital signs vary a little bit between normal limits, and they can be used to tell you how the person is responding to their treatment – and also if they are experiencing a life-threatening event. Any time vital signs change from a previous reading or are outside the normal range, report it immediately.

If you dispense medications for your job or as a care giver, observation and reporting is a very important skill associated with medication administration. You need to be able to monitor the effects of the medications you have given, and in some situations you must know the resident’s physical status before you give certain medications.

The human body is capable of maintaining a balance of physical and general health, but when a change from physical or emotional stress takes its toll, the body will react.

What is needed to take this course? Nothing but a willingness to learn and an interest in assessing vital signs! You do not need a textbook or any special equipment or software for this course.