Mar 28, 2024  
Fall 2017 Catalog 
    
Fall 2017 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

RC 120 - Principles of Respiratory Care II


Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce the concept of positive pressure ventilation. Topics to be covered include the following: acid-base balance and assessing the need for mechanical ventilation; basic understanding of mechanical ventilation; physiology of positive pressure ventilatory support; initiation and adjustment of mechanical ventilation; and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of arterial blood gas samples;
    • identify various components of an arterial blood gas;
    • identify the cause of changes in arterial blood gas parameters;
    • classify arterial blood gas samples; and
    • recognize how to correct changes using mechanical ventilation.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the physiology of ventilatory support;
    • what are the effects of mechanical ventilation on oxygenation, ventilation, and lung mechanics;
    • what are the effects of positive pressure ventilation on other body systems;
    • what are complications and hazards of providing mechanical ventilatory support; and
    • how to minimize the adverse effects of mechanical ventilation.
  • demonstrate a basic understanding of mechanical ventilators;
    • the basic design features of ventilators;
    • how to classify ventilators and how they work;
    • what constitutes a mode of ventilation;
    • how to classify and understand modes of ventilation;
    • when to use the basic modes of ventilatory support;
    • how selected modes of ventilatory support are applied;
    • identify and interpret various ventilator waveform graphics;
    • describe the theory behind the use of high frequency ventilation; and
    • describe indications for high frequency ventilation.
  • demonstrate and understand the initiation and adjustment of ventilatory support; 
    • what are the indications for mechanical ventilation;
    • how to identify and assess patients who need ventilatory support;
    • how to choose an appropriate ventilator to begin ventilatory support;
    • how to select an appropriate mode of ventilation given a patient’s specific condition and ventilatory requirements;
    • what are the appropriate initial ventilator settings, based on a patient assessment, for beginning mechanical ventilation;
    • how to assess a patient after initiation of ventilation; and
    • how to adjust the ventilator on the basis of the patient’s response.
  • demonstrate an understanding of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation; and
    • how noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is defined;
    • what are the goals of and indications for NPPV;
    • how to select patients for NPPV;
    • what factors are predictive of success during NPPV;
    • how to differentiate patient interfaces, types of ventilators, and their modes of ventilation;
    • how to initiate and manage NPPV in the acute care setting; and
    • what complications are associated with NPPV and the possible solutions.


Prerequisites: Matriculation in the Respiratory Care Program or permission of the department, RC 110, RC 111, RC 112, RC 114. All Respiratory Care coursework must be taken in sequential order.
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