RT

Students learn applicable medical terminology and the metric conversions used in respiratory therapy. They learn applied anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of the pulmonary system and the relationship between respiration and cardiac function. Students learn to recognize normal and abnormal arterial blood gas results. They learn the principles of gas physics and their application to oxygen, aerosol, and humidity therapies. Students begin the process of professional development and learn self-esteem and motivational skills necessary to become employed. Students learn the conditions that indicate the need for oxygen therapy. They explore the potential hazards associated with oxygen therapy, study the different oxygen delivery devices, and learn how to assemble and test equipment. They practice setting up oxygen, aerosol, and humidity therapies. They are introduced to the various pharmacological agents used in respiratory therapy and their biochemical properties. Students learn the indications for and the potential hazards of IPPB and incentive spirometry therapies. Students have the opportunity to practice procedures for the administration of these therapies to patients in a laboratory setting. Students learn to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and chest auscultation and to administer metered dose inhalation therapy. Professional development will continue, including ethics.

Students learn to perform patient assessments, including assessing the need for secretion removal and how to perform the appropriate procedures. Students examine the etiology of respiratory disease, learn to identify common pathogenic organisms, and explore various isolations and sterilization techniques. They learn to maintain and manage an artificial airway and will explore the physiology of blood gases and the techniques for analyzing arterial blood gas samples. A large portion of this course is spent in a clinical externship practicing the skills related to what has been learned to identify, perform, and assess the results of various diagnostic pulmonary function tests.

Students examine the pathologies of the cardiopulmonary symptoms and recognize the manifestations and systems of restrictive and obstructive pulmonary disease. Students study the various types of mechanical ventilators to identify the modalities of continuous mechanical ventilation. They learn how to set up ventilators and monitor a ventilator patient. Students learn how to apply PEEP/CPAP and intermittent mandatory ventilation. They learn the special considerations for continuous mechanical ventilation and long-term life support. They learn the advanced techniques and proper maintenance procedures associated with continuous mechanical ventilation, as well as the indications for and techniques applicable to, the discontinuation of ventilation. They learn to recognize the various pulmonary disease states associated with ventilator patients and how to evaluate the patient’s status and response to therapy. A large portion of this course is spent in a clinical externship practicing the skills related to what has been learned in the classroom and laboratory.

Students learn anatomy, physiology, and respiratory care considerations of the pediatric and neonatal patient. They learn to identify/administer the pharmacological agents used in critical care and explore the goals and objectives of pulmonary rehabilitation and patient education. Students work on case studies related to these topics. A large portion of this course is spent in a clinical externship practicing the skills related to what has been learned in the classroom and laboratory.

This course offers an overview of the math used for respiratory therapy calculations, and provides an opportunity for students to learn advanced skills related to respiratory patient care. The course offers a comprehensive study of current standardized pulmonary function modalities and the interpretation of test data, and includes a comprehensive review of critical thinking skills and therapist-driven protocols as applied to the successful completion of the certification examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).