Taking Vital Signs for Individuals with IDD

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: The Importance of Vital Signs

Types of Vital Signs

The Value of Vital Signs

Accuracy Is Important

General Guidelines

Checking Vital Signs in People with IDD

Review

Summary

Section 3: How to Check Vital Signs

How to Measure Temperature

Understanding Temperature Readings

How to Measure Pulse

Understanding Pulse

How to Measure Respiratory Rate

Understanding Respiratory Rate

How to Measure Blood Pressure

Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

Review

Summary

Section 4: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributors

References

Katy Kunst received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her Master of Business Administration from Elon University. She has 15 years of experience serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their supporters, including roles as direct support professional, program director, and training facilitator. She has created and facilitated training on topics including non-violent crisis interventions, person-centered planning, cultural competence, quality service delivery, regulatory compliance, and a variety of topics related to IDD services. Disclosure: Katy Kunst, MBA, QIDP has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.

Susan Heinzerling earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as a Master of Life Sciences in physiology from North Carolina State University. She became a doctoral candidate in immunology at the University of South Alabama. Her research experiences in the biomedical sciences led to an interest in evidence-based practices. Ms. Heinzerling began her nursing career as a medical/surgical nurse. Renal patients in acute care with multiple chronic conditions and repeated hospitalizations inspired her practice of hospice nursing. She has worked as a hospice admissions nurse and a hospice RN case manager in both a large urban setting and a rural community. Disclosure: Susan Heinzerling, BSN, RN, CHPN has no Relevant Financial or Non-Financial Relationship with ineligible companies to disclose.