RT 110 - Fundamentals of Respiratory Care

Transfer Status

NT

Prerequisite

Admission to the RT Program, ALH 6 (or concurrent enrollment)

Corequisite

RT 118

Unit(s)

7.00

• Lecture: 102.00 Contact hours/204.00 Out of class hours/306.00 Total hours/6.00 Unit(s)
• Lab: 51.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 153.00 Contact hours/204.00 Out of class hours/357.00 Total hours/7.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to basic atmospheric physics, cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, blood gas chemistry, and ventilatory dynamics. The student will be introduced to basic concepts of health and disease with emphasis on cardiopulmonary disorders, fundamentals of problem solving techniques and safe handling of medical gases and equipment. Selected respiratory care and diagnostic equipment, techniques and problems will be introduced in the laboratory. Graded only.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the composition and behavior of the atmosphere as it relates to the physiology of human respiration.
2. Identify the structures and functions of the human cardiopulmonary system.
3. Demonstrate skills in basic clinical therapeutic and diagnostic problem solving.
4. Demonstrate the proper use of medical equipment and devices routinely used in the diagnosis and care of patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
5. Identify the basic signs and symptoms of cardiopulmonary disease.
6. Identify aging and its effects on the cardiopulmonary system.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lab

1. Class Activities
2. Collaborative Group Work
3. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
4. Instructor Demonstrations
5. Laboratory Experiments
6. Lecture

1. Exams/Tests
2. Quizzes
3. Homework
4. Class participation
5. Lab Projects
6. Written Assignments
7. Mid-term and final examinations

Reading Assignments

1. Read the assigned, required readings for Atmospheric Physics. Be prepared to discuss and solve Gas Law problems.
2. Read the assigned, required reading for Anatomy of the Respiratory System. Be prepared to contribute to classroom discussion on the topic.

Writing Assignments

1. After completing the assigned reading and classroom presentations on Pulmonary Function, complete the handout on identifying lung volumes.
2. After completing the assigned reading and classroom presentations on Anatomy of the Respiratory System, answer each item listed under the Anatomy of the Respiratory System Learning Objectives.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Review the handouts on the 4 Gas Laws discussed in class and solve the assigned Gas Law problems.
2. Review the handouts on the Alveolar Air equation, and the Oxygen Content equation and solve the assigned problems for each equation.

Cairo, J.M. (2018). Mosby’s Respiratory Care Equipment. Mosby, 10th.

Des Jardins, T. (2019). Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology: The Essentials for Respiratory Care. Cengage Learning, 7th.

Scanlan CL, Spearman CB, Sheldon, RL. (2020). Sheldon, RL. Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. Mosby, 12th.

Other Learning Materials

American Association for Respiratory Care, Clinical Practice Guidelines, current editions on Web

Selected references from medical periodicals

Respiratory Technician

Respiratory Technologies