Introduction to Respiratory Care

Outline the history of the respiratory care profession; outline the organization and function of hospital departments; describe issues in medical malpractice and ethics; identify the respiratory therapists' role in performing basic vital signs, body mechanics, and cardiopulmonary assessment; and describe infection control techniques

I. Assess and analyze the techniques used in patient assessment and the significance of its
results (F1, F5, F6, F8, F9, F12, C1, C5, C7)
A. Identify the purpose and methods used to conduct a patient interview
B. Identify and interpret signs and symptoms of cardiopulmonary disease to include:
1. Medical history
2. Vital signs
3. Level of consciousness
4. Common cardiopulmonary symptoms
C. Identify the four techniques used by the RCP to assess patients with cardiopulmonary
disease
D. Utilize inspection techniques to assess and interpret various diseases
E. Utilize palpation technique to assess and interpret various diseases
F. Utilize percussion technique to assess and interpret various diseases
G. Utilize auscultation technique to assess and interpret various diseases
II. Express the importance of professionalism in the health care setting. Summarize the
importance of the history of respiratory care and define the structure of the respiratory
care profession. (F1, F2, F4, F5, F6, F7, F11, F12, F14, F16, C4, C5, C7, C8, C10)
A. Identify and demonstrate the importance of professionalism within the health care
environment
B. Define HIPAA and explain its purpose
C. Identify various types of workforce harassment
D. Identify early philosophers, scientists, and medical personnel whose discoveries and
inventions led to the evolution of medicine
E. Describe the work of scientists and inventors that led to the development of clinical
applications of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation
F. Denote the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines and Therapist Driven Protocols
G. Trace the evolution of the professional, credentialing, and school accreditation
organizations involved in maintaining the quality of the respiratory care profession.
III. Analyze the methods of quality and evidence-based respiratory care. (F1, F7, F8, C5)
A. Discuss elements that constitute quality respiratory care
B. Explain methods that are used for monitoring quality of respiratory care delivery
C. Explain how respiratory care protocols enhance the quality of respiratory care services
D. Explain disease management
E. Define evidence-based medicine
IV. Identify factors of patient safety, communication and record keeping (C9, C11, C20, F1,
F2, F8, F15)
A. Identify and describe factors to minimize common safety hazards and risks among patient
receiving respiratory care
B. Explain factors that affect the communication process
C. Explain how to improve the therapists’ effectiveness in health communication.
D. Recognize and help resolve interpersonal or organizational sources of conflict
E. Analyze and interpret the information comprised in a medical record
F. Explain how to maintain a precise medical record
V. Describe the most common legal issues and ethical decisions that have a direct impact on
the respiratory care profession (F1, F2, F5, F6, F8, F9, F12, F13, F14, F15, F16, F17, C5,
6, 7, 8)
A. Distinguish between legal and ethical scenarios
B. Describe common legal issues in respiratory care
C. Describe common ethical issues in respiratory care
D. List the major healthcare reimbursement methods used in the United States.
E. Discuss how culture diversity affects patient care.
F. Discuss End of Life Care
VI. Assess/interpret clinical laboratory data and identify common medical abbreviations (F1,
F5, F6, F8, F9, F12, C1, C5, C7).
A. Define and describe the three functions of blood.
B. Interpret the results of a CBC including the normal values and causes of an increase or
decrease in the following:
1. RBC
2. HGB
3. Hematocrit
4. WBC
5. Platelets
6. Glucose
A. Interpret the importance of a differential blood test and describe the types of WBC’s
B. Describe the types of coagulation studies and interpret the results.
C. Describe and interpret the types of microbiology tests.
D. Evaluate the types of serum enzymes and interpret the results.
E. Describe the normal fluid movement due to hydrostatic and oncotic pressure.
F. Define the normal values of intake and output including the normal sources of intake and
output.
G. Describe and interpret the results of laboratory tests that determine renal function.
H. Describe and interpret the results of electrolyte values to include:
1. Na+
2. K
+
3. Cl4. HCO3
–
I. Use and interpret basic abbreviations used in the hospital setting
VII. Identify and define infection control techniques (F1, F2, F7, F8, C5, C13)
A. Explain how infection spreads between patients and among healthcare personnel
B. Identify and describe methods of disinfecting, pasteurizing and processing re-usable
equipment
C. Identify the different types of isolation techniques
D. Describe the importance of infection control
E. Define and describe VRE and MRSA
Describe the role of respiratory care in disaster management (F1, F3, F4, F11, C19)
A. Describe the role of respiratory therapist during disaster management.
VIII. Explain the basic physical sciences related to respiratory care (F1, F4, F11, C11, C12,
C15, C19)
A. Describe motion, properties of liquids, molecular movement and chemistry
IX. Define and describe the metric system (F1, F4, F11, C11, C12, C15, C19)
A. Formulate conversions within the metric system.
B. Differentiate between the conversions within the metric and English system