HEA-HEA8007 - Community Health Worker: Vital Signs and Chronic Health Conditions
Course Description
The vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate, with the addition of assessing a fingerstick glucose level – communicate important information about the physiological status of the human body. In this 2 part, eight-week course, we will first explore the basic 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 affect 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.
Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and heart disease are the leading causes of illness and death in the United States. In part 2, we will explore these and other chronic health conditions and discuss management options used to support community members.
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.
Course Outline
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.
Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify different body systems and their respective components.
- Correlate the relationships the systems have with each other to allow the body to function properly.
- Define and assess vital signs.
- Define and identify chronic health conditions.
- Examine the impact of cultural, healthcare policy, and social concerns in the management of chronic health conditions.
- Understand the roles and functions of a healthcare professional in chronic disease management.
- Develop the skills to assist individuals managing common symptoms associated with chronic illnesses (medication management).
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Community Health Worker Certificate Program : Community Health Worker