CTE Healthcare Escape Room Activity (continued)
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Station 1: Vital Signs Vault
Students receive patient cards with incomplete vital sign data. Using a
thermometer and pulse oximeter, they complete the charts and determine
which patient is in critical condition. The correct patient's ID or birthdate reveals
a code to unlock the next station.
Tools Used:
• Digital thermometer
• Pulse oximeter
• Pre-written "patient cards" (see example under "How the Puzzle Works")
• Lockbox or code envelope (real or simulated)
Learning Focus:
• Interpreting vital signs (body temp, SpO₂)
• Recognizing what is "normal" vs. "abnormal"
• Synthesizing data across multiple patients to determine who is in critical condition
• Applying clinical reasoning to solve a mystery
Scenario:
"The vault to the patient files is locked!"
• You've arrived on shift to find four patients awaiting triage. A secured vault contains the updated care instructions,
but it's protected by a 4-digit code.
• Each patient has partial vital sign data, and one is deteriorating fast. Your team must analyze the data, take new readings,
and figure out which patient's abnormal readings spell out the code.
Materials Needed:
• 4 printed "Patient Cards" (name, age, symptoms, some pre-filled vitals like HR or BP, but missing temp or SpO₂)
• 1 working thermometer
• 1 working pulse oximeter
• Optional: clipboard, fake medical chart, gloves to increase realism
Student Instructions (Sample Handout Text):
1. Review the four patient cards carefully. Each patient has a combination of normal and abnormal vitals.
2. Use the pulse oximeter and thermometer to take a reading on a group member.
3. Match your readings to the patients to "complete" their vitals.
4. Identify which patient is in the most danger based on their full set of symptoms and vital signs.
5. When you're confident, open the code envelope and retrieve the 4-digit code (the code will be hidden in that patient's
birthdate, ID number, or similar).
6. Submit the code to move on!
