Respiratory Care

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and relate common developmental pathologies.
• catalog pulmonary diseases as obstructive or restrictive.
• recommend diagnostic procedures for identification and staging of cardiopulmonary disease.
• analyze data collected from various diagnostic procedures including x-ray, arterial blood gases, and pulmonary function tests.
• compile data for development of therapist driven protocols.
• analyze disease states and pharmacotherapeutic strategies.
• define categories of drugs and apply the appropriate category to various cardiopulmonary disease states.
• recommend appropriate pharmacological intervention for cardiopulmonary pathologies.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• evaluate the difference between the mechanical and metabolic work involved in ventilation and perfusion and their significance in patient care.
• explain compensatory mechanisms of human physiology in the presence of disease.
• demonstrate patient assessment skills and related therapeutics.
• analyze information received from patients' records and tests.
• measure the mechanisms by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported in the blood and the factors affecting that transport to and from the tissues and apply the data to patient care situations.
• evaluate electrolyte and acid base regulation in relationship to kidney function.
• correlate acid-base regulation and the control of ventilation.
• analyze how the cardiovascular system coordinates its functions under normal and abnormal conditions.
• compare and contrast various respiratory care procedures and equipment.
• draft an appropriate plan for correction of various forms of cardiovascular disease.
• explain the role of HIPAA in the respiratory care field.
• identify two methods to ensure proper patient identification.
• explain the importance of the patient's right to privacy.
• recognize examples of inappropriate conversation topics.
• formulate an appropriate plan for safe practice and preventing spread of infection.
• demonstrate verbal, nonverbal, and written communications skills in patient interactions.
• recommend appropriate treatment modalities for patients affected by cardiopulmonary disease.
• create respiratory care treatment plans for patients affected by cardiopulmonary disease.
• identify and assemble respiratory care equipment for application in treating oxygen failure.
• assess patient responses to oxygen therapies.
• interpret cardiopulmonary diagnostic test results and recommend appropriate modifications to treatment plans.
• demonstrate appropriate blood gas draw procedure and knowledge to successfully obtain the blood gas certificate.
• cite drugs and preparation utilized in the management of respiratory disease.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify signs and symptoms of respiratory failure.
• demonstrate appropriate treatment of respiratory failure.
• identify how to clear an obstructed airway.
• compile a list of equipment utilized in the intubation process.
• list modes of mechanical ventilation.
• assess patients for weaning readiness from mechanical ventilation.
• analyze mechanical ventilator data and modify therapy.
• troubleshoot various mechanical ventilator problems.
• cite the basic parameters of ventilation.
• construct a ventilator record or flow sheet.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify adjunctive airway and intubation equipment.
• establish effective airway techniques and perform intubations.
• select mechanical ventilators and assess for proper function.
• troubleshoot mechanical ventilators.
• interpret mechanical ventilator and hemodynamic wave forms.
• collect mechanical ventilator data and construct flow sheets.
• diagnose respiratory failure.
• differentiate types of artificial airways and mechanical ventilators.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• analyze information received from patients, records, and tests.
• select and recommend appropriate drugs and preparations utilized in the management of respiratory disease.
• adapt respiratory care equipment to meet a patient's oxygen therapy needs.
• apply evaluation skills to identification of various pathologies.
• explain the rationale for various respiratory care procedures.
• perform technical skills common to care of the critically ill.
• assess a patient's response to therapy.
• assemble appropriate equipment for therapeutic procedures.
• respond to cardiopulmonary emergencies.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• describe principles of drug actions.
• explain the pharmaceutical theory of drug therapy.
• cite preferred methods of administration of drugs.
• identify drugs utilized for prevention of pulmonary disease.
• analyze disease states and pharmacotherapeutic strategies.
• recommend appropriate pharmacological intervention for various cardiopulmonary pathologies.
• interpret the appropriateness of drug intervention.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• differentiate the methods of assessing the newborn infant, including maternal and fetal factors.
• describe the hazards and indications for special equipment, application, and techniques applied to infants and children.
• describe the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of selected neonatal and pediatric diseases.
• analyze the process of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation including program form, content, and outcome evaluation, patient assessment for selection into a program, exercise evaluation, and preparation of a respiratory care plan.
• analyze the modalities and equipment available for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, exercise, reconditioning, breathing retraining, as well as long term oxygen and ventilation care.
• select and evaluate the delivery of respiratory care in the home setting including assessment of the home environment, patient comprehension of treatment modalities, equipment, and infection control.
• recommend appropriate reconditioning exercises and rehabilitation programs for the outpatient client.
• analyze and recommend appropriate advanced mechanical ventilation strategies.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• monitor hemodynamic values of patients undergoing special procedures.
• assess performance of patients before, during, and after special procedures.
• troubleshoot equipment malfunctions.
• analyze results of tests performed.
• discuss abnormal findings from examinations performed.
• chart patient progress.
• assemble equipment to perform various procedures.
• select and recommend drugs, gases, and preparations utilized in respiratory and diagnostic laboratories.
• assemble pediatric and neonatal ventilators.
• apply pediatric and neonatal ventilators.
• assess health status of newborn infants.
• develop appropriate care plans.
• coordinate rehabilitation activities.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• monitor patient care in critical care units.
• evaluate patients in critical care units.
• assess ventilation disorders.
• troubleshoot mechanical ventilator problems.
• perform technical skills common to care of the critically ill.
• collect and analyze blood and tissue samples from critically ill patients.
• report on patient status to physicians and co-workers.
• record critical data in patient records.
• chart patient progress.
• collect and evaluate diagnostic data to include chest radiography, electrocardiography, pulmonary function testing, and laboratory studies.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• describe appropriate business attire for respiratory care professionals working outside the hospital environment.
• write an effective resume for employment in respiratory care.
• compose a letter of introduction for future employment.
• schedule an interview with a potential employer.
• discuss interviewing principles in relation to employment in respiratory care.
• complete job and licensing applications for respiratory care practice.
• assess preparation for national testing standards.
• discuss appropriate business practices for respiratory care practitioners working in home care.
• describe the advanced practice examination system for Registered Respiratory Therapist.
• Discuss the role of implicit bias in creating health disparities in respiratory care.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• monitor hemodynamic values of patients in critical care units.
• evaluate hemodynamic values of patients in critical care units.
• set up and assess mechanical ventilators on patient's in diverse disease states.
• troubleshoot mechanical ventilation problems.
• perform technical skills common to care of the critically ill.
• collect blood and tissue samples from critically ill patients.
• analyze blood and tissue samples from critically ill patients.
• report on patient status to physicians and co-workers.
• record critical data in patient records.
• chart patient progress.
• demonstrate correct application of therapeutic procedures to neonatal and pediatric patients.
• evaluate, assess, and modify neonatal and pediatric airways and therapy.
• perform life-saving therapeutics in emergency settings.