Pediatric Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Development & Assessment

Presented by Ashley E. Parish

12-Month Subscription

Unlimited access to:

  • Thousands of CE Courses
  • Patient Education
  • Home Exercise Program
  • And more
Video Runtime: 58 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 39 Minutes

This is an advanced course for PTs and OTs that is the first in a three-part series about pediatric cardiovascular and pulmonary therapy. This specific course focuses on fetal development of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Emphasis will be placed on how to perform a cardiovascular and pulmonary assessment of infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents that are typically developing. Assessment will include frequently seen tests and measures, such as capillary refill, 6-Minute Walk Test, and pulmonary function testing. This material will provide the background needed to understand abnormalities of the heart and lungs and understand how to assess children with certain cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. Material in this course is applicable to the acute care, outpatient, and early intervention settings.

Meet your instructor

Ashley E. Parish

Ashley Parish is an ABPTS board-certified cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialist in physical therapy with more than a decade of experience in the intensive care unit setting. She obtained both her bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Alabama at…

Read full bio

Chapters & learning objectives

Anatomical and Physiological Development

1. Anatomical and Physiological Development

This chapter discusses the typical anatomical and physiological development of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Understanding how the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems develop is vital for proper assessment techniques and development of plan of care of pediatric patients/clients.

Assessment of Infant Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems

2. Assessment of Infant Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems

Chapter Two will discuss how to perform an assessment of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems of an infant. Focus will be given to typical vital signs, chest assessment, and breathing patterns seen in this population. This content is important to understand prior to discussing atypical development.

Assessment of Toddler/Child Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems

3. Assessment of Toddler/Child Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems

Chapter Three will cover how to perform an assessment of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems of toddlers and children. Focus will be given to typical vital signs, chest assessment, and endurance tests and measures. This content is important to understand prior to discussing atypical development.

Assessment of Adolescent Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems

4. Assessment of Adolescent Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems

Chapter Four will discuss assessment of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems of adolescents. Vital signs, chest assessment and further endurance testing will be covered. This content is important to understand prior to discussing atypical development.