RET 1024 - Fundamentals of Respiratory Care

College of Health Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2018 (540)

Requisites

Admission to Respiratory Care (Associate in Science) (RESC-AS) and
Prerequisite BSC 2086 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite BSC 2086L with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This 10 unit course is an orientation to the respiratory care practitioner’s role in basic respiratory therapies. Students will be introduced to cardiopulmonary anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and the basic diagnosis and treatment modalities of cardiopulmonary diseases. Students will also explore the use of medical devices and the prevention of infection through universal precautions.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will discuss the Respiratory Care profession by
    1. explaining the role and function of:
      1. The Committee of Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
      2. The National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC)
      3. The American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC)
    2. describing the elements of:
      1. respiratory credentialing
      2. respiratory licensing
  2. Students will apply the basic principles of physics and chemistry to respiratory care by
    1. providing an example of the application of the following laws:
      1. Boyle's Law
      2. Henry's Law
      3. Graham's Law
      4. Dalton's Law
    2. listing, in proper order, the chemical transport of CO2 in the human body
  3. Students will explain basic cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology and assessment by:
    1. identifying the anatomy of the upper and lower airway
    2. distinguishing the components of the respiratory parenchyma
    3. listing the functions of the major anatomical structures on the respiratory system
  4. Students will examine basic oxygen and medical gas therapy by:
    1. describing the components and application of:
      1. pulse oximetry
      2. blood gas analysis
      3. heliox delivery devices
      4. low and high flow O2 delivery devices
      5. gas analyzers, including the procedures used to calibrate them
      6. bulk oxygen storage and delivery systems
      7. capnography
  5. Students will describe the clinical application of humidity and aerosol therapy by:
    1. listing the differences between humidity and aerosols
    2. identifying the physiologic normals for airway temperature and humidity
    3. explaining the steps necessary to calculate and correct deficits in airway humidification
    4. describing the necessary equipment used in the therapy
  6. Students will illustrate the use of lung expansion and bronchial hygiene therapies by:
    1. by describing the components and application of:
      1. assisted cough, including huff and quad cough
      2. Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB)
      3. inspiratory muscle training techniques
  7. Students will apply the methods used for infection control by:
    1. demonstrating high level disinfection techniques
    2. selecting the appropriate agent for surface disinfection
    3. monitoring effectiveness of sterilization procedures
    4. demonstrating proper handling of bio-hazardous materials
    5. carrying out standard precautions and specialized isolation precautions
  8. Students will distinguish evidence based medicine by:
    1. explaining the difference between evidence based and anecdotal evidence
    2. listing the methods for identifying a peer reviewed resource
    3. identifying the evidence presented in the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) Clinical Practice Guidelines

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 75% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 1/90 3 YR C&I Review 1993-94 DBT 10/17/95 Effective Session 19961 C&I 9/26/00, DBT 10/17/00 Effective Yr Sess 20002. 3 Year Review 2004. 3 Year Review 2008. C&I Approval: 05/16/2014, BOT Approval: 10/21/2014, Effective Term: Spring 2015 (495).
C&I Approval: 08/17/2017, BOT Approval: 09/19/2017, Effective Term: Spring 2018 (540)

Related Programs

  1. Respiratory Care (RESC-AS) (640) (Active)