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)