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Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

This course is part of Become an EMT Specialization

Instructors: Angela Wright, MD +3 more

46,638 already enrolled

Included with

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

817 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

817 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Category: Clinical Assessment
Category: Mental Status Examination
Category: Airway Management
Category: Cardiology
Category: Anatomy
Category: Respiration
Category: Health Assessment
Category: Emergency Medicine
Category: Oxygen Therapy
Category: Neurology
Category: Emergency Medical Services
Category: Medication Administration
Category: Patient Evaluation
Category: Endocrinology
Category: Medical Emergency
Category: Respiratory Care
Category: Respiratory Therapy
Category: Patient Treatment
Category: Pharmacotherapy
Category: Pharmacology

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Become an EMT Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

In this course, you will develop the knowledge and skills to assess and stabilize certain types of patients for transport. By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1) assess a basic medical patient 2) describe general pharmacologic principles and the skills associated with medication administration, 3) explain airway physiology, the assessment of the airway and available interventions for airway management, 4) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a respiratory emergency for transport, and 5) identify, assess and formulate a plan to stabilize a patient with a cardiovascular emergency for transport. 6) describe the most common neurologic and endocrine emergencies and what you can do for them as an EMT.

At the end of this module, you will be able to: 1) apply a systematic approach of patient assessment specifically to a patient with a medical complaint, 2) explain the basic principles of pharmacology including forms of medications, routes of medication administration, and to define the basic components of a drug profile and, 3) organize the appropriate steps when administering any medication including the five rights, premedication evaluation and post administration evaluation.

What's included

9 videos5 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 39 minutes

Mastering Medicine2 minutes
Medical Assessment5 minutes
Primary and Secondary Assessment6 minutes
Pharmacology Basics7 minutes
Medication Administration8 minutes
General Assessment3 minutes
Epinephrine Auto-injector1 minute
Intramuscular Medication Administration2 minutes
Intranasal Medication Administration4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 60 minutes

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Current “Become an EMT” Specialization No Longer NREMT Eligible10 minutes
About Us: Become an EMT Specialization Team at Denver Health Paramedics5 minutes
Course Information15 minutes
Get help and meet other learners. Join your Community!5 minutes
NREMT Medical Assessment25 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Course Disclaimer30 minutes
Pharmacology Basics Assessment30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 60 minutes

Medication Activity60 minutes

Assessment of and management of the airway is critical in patient care. This module is all about the airway. In this module you will 1) identify the most important anatomic and physiologic portions of the respiratory system, 2) distinguish between normal and abnormal in the setting of airway and breathing 3) learn how and when to use the various tools you will have as an EMT to stabilize or improve the respiratory conditions in diverse patients.

What's included

14 videos5 readings1 assignment

14 videosTotal 68 minutes

Airway and Breathing - Part 15 minutes
Airway and Breathing - Part 26 minutes
Assessment of Airway9 minutes
MOANS5 minutes
Breathing and Respiratory Equipment7 minutes
Opening an Airway7 minutes
Airway Medications5 minutes
Management of the Airway6 minutes
Bag Valve Mask (BVM)5 minutes
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)4 minutes
Head Tilt - Chin Lift - Jaw Thrust2 minutes
Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)2 minutes
Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)2 minutes
Oxygen Administration4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Airway and Breathing10 minutes
Assessment of Airway10 minutes
Assessment of Airway20 minutes
NREMT Bag Valve Mask (BVM) Of an Apneic Adult Patient15 minutes
NREMT Oxygen Administration By Non-Rebreather Mask15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Airway and Breathing Assessment30 minutes

In this module, we will dig a little deeper into the respiratory system now that you have an overview of how this system works and its importance. By the end of this module you will 1) start to classify types of symptoms and triage them on scene 2) distinguish between an upper and lower airway issues 3) Develop the framework to assess acute and chronic respiratory diseases. 4) Work through the primary and secondary surveys you will perform when faced with a patient with many different respiratory complaints.

What's included

10 videos3 readings1 assignment

10 videosTotal 47 minutes

Airway Trouble3 minutes
Asthma6 minutes
Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis4 minutes
Other Respiratory Emergencies - Part 17 minutes
Other Respiratory Emergencies - Part 24 minutes
Respiratory Assessment5 minutes
Assessment of Respiratory Complaint5 minutes
Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)4 minutes
Nebulizer5 minutes
Suction5 minutes

3 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Airway Trouble20 minutes
Asthma10 minutes
Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Respiratory Emergencies Assessment30 minutes

In this module we cover a system closely related to the respiratory system- the cardiovascular system. In this module you will learn 1) the intricacies of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. 2) a few of the most common diseases that affect the cardiovascular system 3) how to approach and assess patients with cardiac complaints with an emphasis on patients with possible acute coronary syndromes 4) the differences in treatment for various cardiac complaints.

What's included

13 videos2 readings2 assignments

13 videosTotal 58 minutes

Introduction to Heart1 minute
Cardiac Conduction3 minutes
Cardiac Contraction5 minutes
Vascular System4 minutes
Blood3 minutes
Cardiac Pathology6 minutes
Atypical Chest Pain and Other Cardiac Pathologies4 minutes
Cardiac Arrest3 minutes
Treatment of ACS - Part 17 minutes
Treatment of ACS - Part 23 minutes
Heart Failure6 minutes
Syncope7 minutes
Blood Pressure7 minutes

2 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Cardiac Auscultation30 minutes
Cardiac Conduction10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Cardiovascular Emergencies Practice Assessment30 minutes
Cardiovascular Emergencies Assessment30 minutes

This module encompasses the neurological and endocrine systems. While these may not initially sound related, in this module you will learn how to assess patients with altered mental status and primary neurological complaints. To get to that point, you will: 1) learn the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and the endocrine system. 2) learn about specific diseases or symptoms of diseases that affect the brain and mental status of a patient. 3) apply this background knowledge to the completing the primary and secondary assessments of a patients with stroke like symptoms, headaches, seizures and with altered mental status.

What's included

11 videos3 readings2 assignments

11 videosTotal 58 minutes

Brain and Nervous System Physiology4 minutes
Headaches2 minutes
Seizures6 minutes
Stroke and TIA9 minutes
Endocrine System Physiology4 minutes
Diabetes6 minutes
Altered Mental Status8 minutes
Brain Problem - Part 15 minutes
Brain Problem - Part 25 minutes
Glucometer4 minutes
Neurological Evaluation4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 45 minutes

Autonomic Nervous System10 minutes
Seizures15 minutes
Stroke and TIA20 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 38 minutes

Neurological Emergencies Practice Assessment8 minutes
Neurological Emergencies Assessment30 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(247 ratings)

Angela Wright, MD

University of Colorado System

9 Courses132,532 learners

Whitney Barrett, MD

University of Colorado System

6 Courses125,908 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado System

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Learner reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
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3 stars
2.32%
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Reviewed on Jun 19, 2020

Everyone must do this course. This course is made really well and i liked that they've also given mnemonics to remember difficult things.Thank You!

Reviewed on Jun 18, 2019

This is a great course and have given me the necessay training that I require to further my education in health care positions throughout my career.

Reviewed on Feb 2, 2021

Is very important that anyone who wants to take this opportunity please leann about it first so you will have a better understanding, i enjoy heping others

Frequently asked questions

IMPORTANT UPDATE: "Become an EMT" Specialization & NREMT Certification

Current Course Status

The existing version of the "Become an EMT" specialization no longer meets the updated certification standards implemented by the NREMT in 2024. The current version cannot be used to qualify for NREMT examination. It remains a valuable resource for anyone exploring emergency medical services, continuing education, or general EMS knowledge. The current version is not a pathway to NREMT certification at this time.

New Version Currently in Development Phase

We are working on a redesigned NREMT‑aligned specialization which will prep you for revised NREMT. Coursera will let you know when that content will launch on the platform. We appreciate the enthusiasm from the NREMT students! Please stay tuned for updates. The goal with this new curriculum is to ensure the full course meets all current certification requirements and supports your long‑term success.

Path to NREMT Certification with the New Course

Two components must be successfully completed to sit for the NREMT exam:

If You Are Currently Enrolled

If you are enrolled and working toward NREMT certification, we recommend pausing your participation (which may include a change to your status with Coursera so that you are only paying for this course when it is ready to be taken) and waiting for the new version of the specialization. The knowledge you've already gained will still hold value as you start the new course, however, the current course will not carry over to the new version.

If You Are Considering Enrollment

We recommend waiting for the new NREMT-eligible specialization when it launches. Until then, the current specialization remains a solid foundation for others who wish to have the basic EMT knowledge without a goal of taking the NREMT exam.

Thank you all very much for your patience.

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.