Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us from Coursera

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.

What's inside

Syllabus

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Dr. Connie B. Scanga who is highly experienced and knowledgeable in Physiology

Explores metabolism in detail, which forms the basis of understanding how the body functions

Covers hands-on techniques for measuring vital signs

Teaches the anatomy and physiology of critical body systems, such as cardiovascular and respiratory systems

Appropriate for a broad audience, including individuals with healthcare experience and those interested in health

Adopts a systematic approach that explores vital signs in an integrated manner

Reviews summary

Vital signs: a learner-approved course

Learners largely enjoyed Vital Signs, an online course that explores the body's communication through vital signs. Highly engaging lectures delivered by Dr. Scanga, the course's instructor, were a key factor in many positive reviews. Many learners also remarked that the course was informative and helped them understand the importance of vital signs and how interpreting them can lead to better patient outcomes. While this course was well-received, some learners noted that it had no supplementary documentation, and some found the lecture pace to be a bit slow.

Informs learners about vital signs

"I have finished this course, i am waiting th certification with Dr Scanga´signature"

"Vital Signs is probably one of the best lectured courses on Coursera"

"I love this course! I was pleasantly surprised for how much I did love it. Not only was it informative but it was fun"

Engaging professor

"Dr. Scanga is a wonderful lecturer"

"Dr. Scanga is one of a kind teacher"

"Dr. Connie Scanga is absolutely amazing as a lecturer"

Highly engaging lectures

"Her lectures come out like stories"

"She has a passion for what she does and it shows every time she teaches"

"I love this course! I was pleasantly surprised for how much I did love it. Not only was it informative but it was fun"

Lectures felt slow

"This course was just too hard for me, top many anatomy terms and concepts werd considered known"

"often times the case study items were not discussed in the lectures"

No extra reading materials

"there was no supplementary documentation for medical terms"

"The only way to review the material was to watch the video again"

"It's missing lecture notes"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us with these activities:

Create a Vital Signs Notebook

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Organize notes, assignments, and practice measurements to enhance retention and understanding of vital signs.

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Gather all course materials, including notes, assignments, and practice exercises.
Create a dedicated notebook or digital document for organizing these materials.
Review and summarize key concepts regularly.

Create a Presentation on Blood Pressure Regulation

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Deepen understanding of blood pressure regulation by creating a presentation that explains the mechanisms involved.

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Research the different factors that affect blood pressure.
Create a visual representation of the blood pressure regulation system.
Present your findings to a small group or online forum.

Read a Book on Respiratory Physiology

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Supplement course materials with a comprehensive text on respiratory physiology to deepen understanding of vital signs related to respiration.

View West's Pulmonary Pathophysiology: The Essentials on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read specific chapters related to respiration and vital signs.

One other activity

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Assist in a Health Fair or Screening Event

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Gain practical experience in measuring vital signs and interacting with patients in a healthcare setting.

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Contact a local health center or organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend a training session on proper vital sign measurement techniques.
Assist healthcare professionals in measuring vital signs and providing health information.

Career center

Learners who complete Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory Therapists help patients breathe better and recover quickly from respiratory illnesses. An understanding of metabolism, respiration, and temperature would be incredibly helpful in this role. In this course, you will learn about these topics and how they impact the vital signs. This knowledge can help you diagnose and treat respiratory problems more effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Respiratory Therapist

Cardiologist

Cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels. This course would provide a strong foundation for a career as a Cardiologist. You will learn about the heart's anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and think about heart rate and the pulse.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cardiologist

Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. This course would be beneficial for Nurses because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs. This knowledge can help nurses provide better care to their patients.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants work under the supervision of physicians to provide medical care to patients. This course would be helpful for Physician Assistants because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs. Physician Assistants who understand how vital signs can help diagnose, manage, and prevent chronic diseases.

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Paramedic

Paramedics provide emergency medical care to patients in a variety of settings. The knowledge gained from this course, such as how to measure vital signs and how to interpret the results, can help Paramedics make quick decisions about the best course of treatment.

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Medical Assistant

Medical Assistants perform a variety of tasks to support physicians and other healthcare professionals. This course will be beneficial for Medical Assistants by providing a strong foundation in the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs. This knowledge will enable Medical Assistants to support healthcare professionals more effectively.

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Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologists administer anesthesia to patients before surgery and other procedures. They monitor patients' vital signs during surgery to ensure their safety. This course would be helpful for Anesthesiologists because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs. This knowledge will help Anesthesiologists provide better care to their patients.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement programs to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. This course would be beneficial for Health Educators because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs. This knowledge can help them develop more effective programs.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to regain their independence. This course would be helpful for Occupational Therapists because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs. Occupational Therapists may have to measure vital signs in order to improve a patient's functional abilities.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide information about their use. A course such as this one can help Pharmacists understand how medications affect vital signs and how to monitor patients for side effects. This knowledge can help Pharmacists provide safer and more effective care to their patients.

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Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to regain their movement and function. This course may be beneficial for Physical Therapists because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs.

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Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. This course would be helpful for Physicians because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs. This knowledge is essential for Physicians to be able to provide effective care to their patients.

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Chiropractor

Chiropractors diagnose and treat neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This course may be useful for Chiropractors because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs.

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Massage Therapist

Massage Therapists use massage to promote relaxation and relieve pain. This course may be helpful for Massage Therapists because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs.

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Athletic Trainer

Athletic Trainers work with athletes to prevent and treat injuries. This course may be helpful for Athletic Trainers because it covers the basics of anatomy and physiology, as well as how to assess and monitor vital signs.

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