Vital Sign Interpretation in Acute Care Rehabilitation

Course overview

Due to medical advances and emerging research, patients are living longer with more complex medical needs. As a result, practitioners are treating and mobilizing patients with increasingly complex needs in the acute care setting. It is important that rehab practitioners possess a solid understanding of vital signs in order to monitor the hemodynamic stability of their patients and determine a safe plan of care. This course will guide practitioners in vital sign interpretation to determine a patient's readiness for activity, tolerance to activity, and risk for adverse events. Normal and abnormal vital sign responses to exercise will be covered, as well as clinical considerations for special populations. Information in this course could be applicable to any health profession, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, that treats and mobilizes patients in the acute care setting.