Obtain Vital Signs - Pediatric

Medical Assisting

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

Learn the process of obtaining pediatric vital signs, covering body temperatures, pulse rates, respiratory rates, and blood pressures.

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Vital signs are always obtained during a routine well-child examination, and are also important for assessing symptoms, detecting anomalies, or for monitoring pediatric patients who are undergoing treatment. This module provides a detailed introduction to the process of obtaining pediatric vital signs, covering body temperatures, pulse rates, respiratory rates, and blood pressures. Including both Learn and Test modes, the online simulator offers three different scenarios that test your ability to prepare for and assess pediatric vital signs; each covers temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Practice the steps of the procedure as often as you want until you are confident. This module is based on the entry-level competencies for which the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) test the Medical Assistant.

You’ll learn

key medical terminology
the normal values for pediatric vital signs, including average body temperatures (aural, temporal, rectal and axillary), pulse rates (apical and brachial), respiratory rates, and blood pressures
to visualize the relevant anatomy used to assess pediatric vital signs – heart and lungs - with our 3D anatomy model
how to prepare for taking a child’s vital signs
to practice and perfect your skills in obtaining and recording accurate temperatures and appropriate pulse rates, volume, and rhythm
how to obtain and record pediatric blood pressure and respiration rate accurately
much more (see Content Details for more specific information)

Introduction

Step 1 - Preparation

Step 1.1 - Equipment preparation

Step 1.2 - Medical assistant preparation

Step 1.3 - Patient preparation

Step 2 - Obtain the child’s temperature

Step 2.1 - Temporal temperature

Step 2.2 - Aural temperature

Step 2.3 - Axillary temperature

Step 2.4 - Rectal temperature

Step 3 - Obtain the child's pulse

Step 3.1 - Apical pulse

Step 3.2 - Brachial pulse

Step 4 - Obtain the child's respiratory rate

Step 5 - Obtain the child's blood pressure

Step 5.1 - Select an arm and cuff

Step 5.2 - Position the cuff

Step 5.3 - Estimate the systolic pressure

Step 5.4 - Obtain the blood pressure

Step 5.5 - Complete the blood pressure reading

Step 5.6 - Automatic blood pressure cuff

Step 6 - Obtain oxygen saturation level using pulse oximetry

Step 7 - Complete the procedure

Describe pre-procedure considerations for taking pediatric vital signs.
Describe and demonstrate the preparation for taking pediatric vital signs.
Define normal values for pediatric vital signs, including average body temperature, pulse rates, respiratory rates, and blood pressure.
Understand and describe factors that affect body temperature, pulse rates, respiration rates, and blood pressure.
Describe and demonstrate how to take pediatric aural and axillary temperature accurately.
Describe and demonstrate how to obtain pediatric apical and brachial pulse rate, volume, and rhythm accurately.
Describe and demonstrate how to obtain pediatric respiration rate accurately.
Describe and demonstrate how to obtain an accurate pediatric blood pressure reading and how to differentiate the Korotkoff phases.
Understand and apply Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
Describe and demonstrate correct post-procedure considerations.
Define and demonstrate correct recording and reporting.
Define and use related medical terminology.
Explain the Patient Privacy Rule (HIPAA) and Patient Safety Act and Patients' Bill of Rights.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long