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VitalSim Information Sheet
Introduction
VitalSim provides students the opportunity to develop confidence with
skills in a safe virtual setting. It can be used with different types of
mannequins to simulate vital signs such as breathing, pulse, blood
pressure and ECG. It generates heart, vocal, lung and bowel sounds. It
may also be used to practice intravenous therapy, catheterization and
tracheostomy care.
Resources
The Learning Resource Centre at the Institute for Applied Health
Sciences houses various types of simulation mannequins including 8
adult females, 1 child (7-8 years), 2 babies, 1 labour & delivery
mannequin, and 1 post partum mannequins.
The VitalSim base unit performs all simulations and connects to the
mannequin. The operator controls the simulations with a user-friendly
remote control. The operator can move freely around the scene up to a
distance of 10 meters (30ft) from the base unit.
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Operation – VitalSim
Start
1. Turn the base unit and remote control on.
Main Display
The main display screen on the remote control unit shows the current
status, and allows for modifying vital signs and sounds directly using
the quick execution buttons. The main display is divided into five
functional areas and a quick execution area.
***At the bottom of the display are the quick execution button
menus. The functions of the buttons will change with the selected
function area.
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Main Display – VitalSim
1. Upper area
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Logging (automatically generates a log of events which will be erased when the base
unit is turned off unless saved)
Scenario (The VitalSim can run pre-programmed scenarios, generated on a PC- based
scenario builder program)
2. Left side ECG (cardiac rhythm)
3. Left lower Blood Pressure
4. Right side Sounds (Left Lung, Right Lung, Heart, Bowel, Vocal) Volume for each sound
can be controlled individually
5. Right lower Breathing Rate
Operation
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1. Left/right navigation or cursor buttons, tab to the desired functional area on the
main display.
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2. Once highlighted, use the up/down buttons to scroll through to desired selection.
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3. When functional area desired is highlighted, press OK to edit the settings.
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4. When the selection is complete, press OK to implement the new selection and return
to the main display.
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To cancel the selection, press C and return to the previous setting unchanged.
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5. Volume for each sound can be controlled individually.
Please note the Vital Anne mannequins have specialized blood pressure cuffs that are used
on the right arm. Any stethoscope can be used to practice vital signs on the mannequins.
Mannequins are equipped with speakers anteriorally, but are not anatomically
correct for heart and lung sounds. Normal lung sounds do not differentiate
bronchial, bronchovesicular and vesicular sounds.
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VitalSim Activity
Example of a Learning Activity
Students will work in pairs. Each student will be able to:
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Describe how to access and care for simulation mannequins.
Set VitalSim control box for various Blood Pressures, Radial/Apical Pulses,
Breathing Rate and Bowel Sounds.
Read and document findings for Breathing Rate, Radial/Apical Pulses, Blood Pressure
and Bowel Sounds which are pre-set by partner.
Sign and date Skill Performance Checklist and add to Practicum Portfolio.
Equipment:
***Bring own stethoscope and a watch with second hand
DIRECTIONS
1.Blood Pressure and Pulse
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Highlight the desired functional area using the left/right navigation buttons.
Press OK to activate the Blood Pressure menu or adjust using the quick execution
buttons.
The up/down navigation buttons are used to change the selection.
When both systolic and diastolic are highlighted, both pressures will change and
maintain the difference. Systolic and diastolic can be highlighted and set separately as
well. Volume of Korotkoff’s sounds can also be adjusted.
The Blood Pressure section shows the set Blood Pressure, Pulse Strength and the
Korotkoff sound volume.
Radial Pulse is palpated on same arm of the mannequin that the blood pressure cuff is
applied. Depress deeply with fingertips to activate the radial pulse then lighten touch and
pulse will be felt.
Apical Pulse is located on the left chest of the mannequin but slightly higher than on a
human being.
Review the normal location using anatomical terms for apical pulse in adult clients.
Normal Pulse strength can be adjusted to three levels, (P:W)Weak, (P:N) Normal or (P:S)
Strong
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2.Breathing Rate
1. Breathing rate can be adjusted between 0 and 60 breaths per minute.
2. Highlight breathing rate functional area using left/right navigation buttons.
Press OK to activate breathing rate menu or adjust directly using the quick execution buttons
or enter directly using the numeric buttons.
3. Breathing rate is heard using a stethoscope over lung areas. The VitalSim mannequins do
not have the chest rise and fall feature.
3.Bowel Sounds
1. Highlight the sounds functional area using the left/right navigation buttons.
2. Scroll down to bowel sounds.
3. Use the quick execution buttons to alter volume directly, or press the Recall button to
recall previous sound.
4. Press OK to get to the Bowel Sounds selection menu.
5. Bowel sounds can only be auscultated by placing the stethoscope on the soft belly plate
insert on the VitalSim mannequins.
Review the normal areas for auscultation of bowel sounds in clients.
Skill Performance Checklist – VitalSim
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Sign and date each learning activity.
Place completed Performance Checklist in your Practicum Portfolio
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