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

RC 114 - Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology


Credit Hours: 3

A course developing, in a comprehensive manner, the various classes of pharmacologic agents used in the treatment and management of cardiorespiratory diseases. Topics to be covered include the following: understanding of drugs and their preparations; administration and uses; mathematical principles of drug therapy; dosages and symptoms of overdose; basic mechanisms and classes of drugs; characteristic effects on various body systems (nervous, muscular, circulatory, excretory, endocrine); and drugs affecting the renal and pulmonary regulation of acid-base balance. Emphasis will be placed on the knowledge of skills and procedures necessary for the safe and effective dispensing and administration of pharmacologic agents as related to respiratory care.

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

  • demonstrate an understanding of the scope of pharmacology and the processes involved in the development of new pharmacological products;
    • define the terms pharmacology, pharmacodynamics and pharmcotherapeutics;
    • define the term “drug” as identified by the FDA;
    • list and describe important 20th century drug legislation;
    • list and differentiate between various sources of drug information;
    • describe the process involved in the development of a new drug;
    • differentiate between chemical, generic, official, and trade names of drugs; and
    • list 5 origins of drugs.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the principles of drug action;
    • define the terms “pharmaceutical phase”, “pharmacokinetic phase”, and pharmacodynamic phase”;
    • list the various routes of administration for medications and discuss the advantages, disadvantages, rates of absorption, contraindications, etc. for each:
      • oral (PO);
      • parenteral (intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intra-arterial, intreapinal, epidural, intraperitoneal); and
      • inhalation.
  • the student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between drug dosage and effect manifested;
    • diagram a typical dose-effect curve;
    • discuss the concepts of potency, variability, maximal effect, and slope as they relate to a typical dose-effect relationship;
    • explain the concept of therapeutic index and how one drug may have several therapeutic indexes depending upon its dosage and its intended usage;
    • discuss the concept of drug sensitivity;
    • define median lethal dose and therapeutic index as they pertain to safety of a drug;
    • describe the various factors which may act to alter the dose-effect relationship; and
    • discuss the terms “hypersensitivity”, “tolerance”, “idiosyncrasy”, “biological half-life”, “teratogen”, “carcinogen”, and “drug allergy”.
  • demonstrate an understanding of multiple aspects involved in the administration of medications;
    • discuss the legal implications inherent in the administration of medications;
    • relate responsibility for the safety of the patient to the role of the respiratory practitioner;
    • differentiate between written, oral, and telephone orders for medication administration;
    • list the necessary components of an acceptable drug order or prescription; and
      • Identify basic guidelines that can ensure correct drug administration.
  • demonstrate an understanding of calculating drug dosages;
    • understand the metric system and be able to perform conversions to other units of measure;
    • calculate dosages where the strength is expressed as a ratio;
    • calculate dosages from percentage-strength solutions;
    • calculate the number of milligrams in a drug-solute solution;
    • calculate the strength of a drug solution;
    • perform dilution calculations; and
    • define solute, solvent, solution, isotonic solutions, and buffer solutions.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the following drugs which he/she will have occasion to administer by the inhalation route;
    • list and discuss the actions, indications, contraindications, precautions, hazards, adverse reactions, dosages, and various names of the following drug categories:
      • diluents and bland solutions;
      • mucolytics/proteolytics;
      • expectorants;
      • antihistimines;
      • antitussives;
      • bronchodilators;
      • asthma preventive;
      • surface active agents (antifoaming agents and surfactants); and
      • cardiac drugs.
  • demonstrate an understanding of bronchodilating medications;
    • discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic);
    • list the different receptors found in the sympathetic nervous system, and indicate the locations and effects of stimulation for each;
    • discuss the normal biochemical physiologic mechanisms which control airway muscle tone;
    • list the various sympathomimetic and parasympatholytic bronchodilators and for each discuss the mechanism of action, relative strength and duration of action, clinical indications, contraindications, precautions, hazards, adverse reactions, recommended dosage, and route of administration; and
    • given several drugs indicate which can be delivered together or require a specific sequence of delivery, providing explanations as to why this is necessary.
  • demonstrate a basic understanding of and the clinical utilization for corticosteroids and anti-microbial agents;
    • identify and discuss the pharmacologic actions, adverse effects, precautions/contraindications, precautions, hazards, adverse reactions, recommended dosage, and rout of administration;
    • identify the names, side effects, and actions of primary, secondary, and tertiary anti-tuberculosis medications;
    • identify instances when antibiotics are aerosolized and identify hazards associated with this route of antibiotic therapy; and
    • identify and discuss an antiviral drug and anti-protozal drugs commonly used to treat RSV and PCP infections, including dosages, side effects, and special precautions necessary when aerosolizing these drugs.
  • demonstrate an understanding of the medications utilized in the treatment of COPD (Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, and Emphysema);
  • demonstrate a basic understanding of the various medications used to maintain cardiac and circulatory function during a resuscitation attempt; and
    • identify and discuss the ACLS goals of medications delivered during CPR; and
    • discuss the administration, effects/purpose, and names of common primary medications used during resuscitation attempts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of neuromuscular blocking agents, sedatives, and drugs used for anesthesia and pain relief.


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