Vital Lessons: A Case-Based Approach to Abnormal Vital Signs

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

The evolution of monitoring systems has added to the nurse’s ability to identify changes in vital signs, but it can’t provide the why associated with these changes. This session reviews etiologies for abnormal vital signs and discusses an algorithmic approach to assessing abnormal heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature. Case studies allow the audience to apply this new knowledge in utilizing vital signs to quickly narrow a diagnosis.

Objectives

Describe an algorithmic approach to assessing abnormal vital signs.
Articulate a focused differential based on specific vital signs.
Apply knowledge gained in this presentation to interactive clinical case studies.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must attend/view/read the entire activity and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Disclosure

This activity has been reviewed by the Nurse Planner. It has been determined that the material presented here shows no bias. No conflicts of interest have been identified for any individual with the ability to influence the content of this activity. Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN or ANCC approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) Commission on Accreditation, ANCC Provider Number 0012. AACN has been approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the California State Board of Nursing (CBRN), California Provider number CEP 1036. This activity is approved for 0.00 contact hours.

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.