RST-1531 Principles and Practice of Respiratory Therapy

Credits 5
This course is designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of patient assessment and to provide an in-depth study of all respiratory therapy modalities of care utilized in general respiratory care practice. This also includes the basics of airway management. Labs are designed to teach the student how to develop good patient communication skills; to learn the function, capabilities, and limitations of respiratory therapy equipment; as well as allow the student to acquire, perfect, and apply the skills necessary to deliver optimum patient care in the clinical setting.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to RST program and completion of BIO-2050, BIO-2060, EGL-1010, CHM-1010, and MAT-1250 with grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): RST-1570 concurrent with grade of C or higher.
4 class/3 lab hours.
(Offered fall only.)

Course Outcomes

Perform basic patient assessment to include vital signs and assessment of the respiratory system.
Perform respiratory therapy procedures including delivery of respiratory medications, bronchopulmonary hygiene therapy, and airway care in the laboratory setting.
Identify the equipment used to deliver basic respiratory care.
Identify indications and complications associated with the delivery of oxygen therapy, respiratory medications, chest physiotherapy, and airway care.
Identify causes of malfunction of equipment used to provide respiratory care.
Evaluate chest x-rays for abnormal findings.
Calculate oxygen cylinder duration and total flow required for adequate oxygen delivery.