RC 110 - Principles of Respiratory Care I

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