Cases Related To Blood Pressure - Part II

Continuing from Part 1, this course provides lessons regarding how to obtain blood pressure readings, heart and lung sounds, patient history and test results in order to establish a diagnosis and a treatment plan. The cases presented involve hypotension (low blood pressure), hypertension (high blood pressure) and cases concerning elevation of only systolic or diastolic pressures. Clinical conditions which are associated with hypertensive and hypotensive conditions are included among the cases.

Using this course

Each lesson in this course includes text describing the heart or lung abnormality and a simulated torso indicating the stethoscope chestpiece location. An audio recording of the sound is provided. Phonocardiograms or waveforms are included with each lesson. These waveforms can be a highly useful aid in learning to recognize heart murmurs. In addition, short videos clips illustrate the heart's motion for each abnormality. These animations indicate the origin of each murmur. Blood flow is also animated. For lung sounds, the source (location) of the sound can be revealed.

After completing a lesson, use the lesson table of contents to navigate to another lesson.

When all lessons have been completed, we recommend using the auscultation practice exercises or quiz. In order to gain a certificate of achievement, please complete the course lessons and practice drill during one session. Most users complete the course's lessons and drills in 30-45 minutes.

Click To Begin Training Module

Lessons

Lesson #1: Fifty-year-old male in emergency room complains of dizziness and headache of two hour duration.

Fifty-year-old male in emergency room complains of dizziness and headache of two-hour duration. Eye examination reveals bilateral swelling of the optic nerve and retinal bleeding.

Lesson #2: Male patient 30 years-of-age is seen in emergency room for frontal headache, sweating and palpitations.

Male patient 30 years-of-age is seen in emergency room for frontal headache, sweating and palpitations.

Lesson #3: 47-year-old male with severe left calf pain

A 47-year-old businessman arrives in the emergency room. While on a 10-hour plane flight from Argentina, he developed severe left calf pain. Upon deplaning he complained of severe chest pain, dizziness and sweating.

Lesson #4: A 50-year-old woman with infected cut on hand

A 50-year-old woman arrives at doctor's office with infected cut on hand caused by a kitchen accident. Patient is taken to hospital for treatment.

Lesson #5: A 75-year-old man brought to emergency room after fainting

A 75-year-old man brought to emergency room after fainting in the public library. He was evaluated at the library by a medical professional who noted market slowing of the pulse.

Lesson #6: 78-year-old male with shortness of breath with exertion and general fatigue.

78-year-old male referred by GP with shortness of breath with exertion and general fatigue.

Lesson #7: 65-year-old woman referred by internist for blood pressure elevation.

65-year-old woman referred by internist for blood pressure elevation. Patient states that she has taken blood pressure at home and found it to be normal on all occasions.

Lesson #8: A 50-year-old woman has a fainting episode standing in her home.

A 50-year-old woman has a fainting episode after standing up from a lying position in her home. Patient's blood pressure medication (hydrochlorothiazide) was recently increased by 25 milligrams daily.

Lesson #9: A 50-year-old woman complains of headaches, dizziness and blurred vision.

A 50-year-old woman, CEO of a technology company, complains of headaches, dizziness and blurred vision. Patient is experiencing extreme stress due to difficult business conditions and fears being dismissed by the board of directors.

Lesson #10: A 75-year-old with shortness of breath and chest pain on exertion

A 75-year-old man with shortness of breath and chest pain on exertion. He has ankle swelling and has had a syncopal episode in the past.

Authors and Reviewers

Heart sounds by Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD and David Lieberman, Developer, Virtual Cardiac Patient.
Heart sounds mentorship: W. Proctor Harvey, MD
Reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.
Last Update: 12/9/2022

Sources

Heart Sounds and Murmurs Across the Lifespan (with CD) Dr Barbara Ann Erickson
Publisher: Mosby
ISBN-10: 0323020453; ISBN-13: 978-0323020459
Heart Sounds and Murmurs: A Practical Guide with Audio CD-ROM 3rd Edition
Elsevier-Health Sciences Division
Barbara A. Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN
How to measure blood pressure using a manual monitor
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)
Manual Blood Pressure Measurement
Vital Sign Measurement Across the Lifespan