Mar 28, 2024  
Spring 2019 Catalog 
    
Spring 2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

RC 110 - Principles of Respiratory Care I


Credit Hours: 3

This is an introduction course designed to build on the major concepts of practice for the respiratory therapist. Topics to be covered include the following: an introduction to health care and the profession: medical gas storage and delivery; humidity and aerosol therapy; lung expansion theory; basic patient assessment; and infection control procedures.

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

  • demonstrate an understanding of the profession of Respiratory Care and its impact on the health care system;
    • what elements constitute quality respiratory care;
    • what methods are used for monitoring quality of respiratory care delivery;
    • how respiratory care protocols enhance the quality of respiratory care services;
    • what disease management is; and
    • what evidence-based medicine is.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the safe and effective storage and delivery of medical gases;
    • which gases and gas mixtures are used clinically and how they are produced;
    • what differences exist between gaseous and liquid storage methods;
    • how to determine the contents of liquid and compressed gas cylinders;
    • how to compute the duration of flow for compressed and liquid gas therapy;
    • how to properly store, transport, and use compressed gas cylinders;
    • how to differentiate gas supply systems;
    • what to do if a bulk oxygen delivery system fails;
    • what safety systems apply to various equipment connections;
    • which device to select to regulate gas pressure and control flow;
    • how to assemble, check for proper function, and identify malfunctions in gas delivery equipment; and
    • how to correct common malfunctions of gas delivery equipment.
  • demonstrate an understanding of medical gas therapy;
    • when oxygen therapy is needed;
    • how to assess the need for oxygen therapy;
    • what precautions and complications are associated with oxygen therapy;
    • how to select an oxygen system appropriate for the respiratory care plan;
    • how to administer oxygen to adults, children, and infants;
    • how to check for proper function and to identify and correct malfunctions of oxygen delivery systems;
    • how to evaluate and monitor a patient’s response to oxygen therapy;
    • how to modify and recommend modification of oxygen therapy on the basis of patient response;
    • how to implement protocol-based oxygen therapy;
    • what indications, complications, and hazards apply to hyperbaric oxygen therapy;
    • when and how to provide nitric oxide therapy; and
    • when and how to administer helium-oxygen therapy.
  • demonstrate and understanding of the humidity and bland aerosol therapy;
    • how airway heat and moisture exchange normally occur;
    • what effect dry gases have on the respiratory tract;
    • when to humidify and warm inspired gas;
    • how various types of humidifiers work;
    • how to enhance humidifier performance;
    • how to select and safely use humidifier heating and feed systems;
    • what indications, contraindications, and hazards pertain to humidification during mechanical ventilation;
    • how to monitor patients receiving humidity therapy;
    • how to identify and resolve common problems with humidification systems;
    • when to apply bland aerosol therapy;
    • how large-volume aerosol generators work;
    • what delivery systems are used for bland aerosol therapy;
    • how to identify and resolve common problems with aerosol delivery systems;
    • how to perform sputum induction; and
    • how to select or recommend the appropriate therapy to condition a patient’s inspired gas.
  • demonstrate an understanding of aerosol therapy;
    • what characterizes an aerosol;
    • how particle size, motion, and airway characteristics affect aerosol deposition;
    • how aerosols are generated;
    • what hazards are associated with aerosol drug therapy;
    • how to select the best aerosol drug delivery system for a given patient;
    • how to initiate and modify aerosol drug therapy;
    • what patients need to know to properly self-administer drug aerosol therapy;
    • how to assess patient response to bronchodilator therapy at the point of care; and
    • how to protect patients and caregivers from exposure to aerosolized drugs.
  • demonstrate an understanding of lung expansion therapy;
    • what causes various types of atelectasis;
    • who needs lung expansion therapy;
    • what clinical findings are seen in atelectasis;
    • how lung expansion therapy works;
    • what indications, hazards, and complications are associated with the various modes of lung expansion therapy; and
    • what the primary responsibilities of the registered respiratory therapist (RRT) are in planning, implementing, and evaluating lung expansion therapy.
  • demonstrate an understanding of basic patient assessment;
    • why patient interviews are necessary and what techniques are used for conducting a patient interview;
    • what abnormalities in lung function are associated with common pulmonary symptoms;
    • wwhat abnormal breathing patterns indicate about underlying pulmonary pathological conditions;
    • what terms are used to describe normal and abnormal lung sounds;
    • what mechanisms are responsible for normal and abnormal lung sounds; and
    • why is it necessary to examine the precordium, abdomen, and extremities in the patient with cardiopulmonary disease.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the principles of infection control;
    • why infection control is an important fundamental in respiratory care;
    • how infection spreads between patients and among healthcare personnel;
    • how to select the best method for processing reusable equipment;
    • how and when to pasteurize respiratory care equipment;
    • how to select and apply chemical disinfectants for processing respiratory care equipment;
    • how to select a method and prepare and sterilize respiratory care equipment;
    • how to monitor the effectiveness of sterilization procedures;
    • how to apply barrier and isolation procedures;
    • how to protect yourself and your patients from infection; and
    • what role you play in bacteriologic surveillance and hospital epidemiology.


Prerequisites: Matriculation in the Respiratory Care Program or permission of the department. All Respiratory Care coursework must be taken in sequential order.
F (N)