Specialties in Respiratory Care

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes:
I. Review and describe the Respiratory Therapist’ role in diagnostic/therapeutic
bronchoscopy assistance. (C5, C6, F1, F2, F3, F5, F11)
A. List the diagnostic and therapeutic reasons for bronchoscopy.
B. Explain how to assist a physician in setting up and performing a
bronchoscope.
C. Define rigid bronchoscope and flexible bronchoscope.
D. List the hazards and complications of a bronchoscopy
II. Describe and explain the use of capnography/capnometry in Respiratory Care.
(C5, C6, F1, F2, F3, F5, F11)
A. Define capnography and capnometery
B. Identify the application of capnography for assessing intubation, changes
in dead space, avoiding arterial blood gasses, and determining outcome of
CPR.
III. Explain the use of intracranial pressure and glasgow coma scale results in
critical care patients. (C5, C6, F1, F2, F3, F5, F11)
A. Define intracranial pressure monitoring
B. Explain the clinical application of intracranial pressure monitoring as it
relates to cerebral perfusion pressure
C. Calculate and describe the glasgow coma scale.
IV. Describe and explain the indication and use of chest tube drainage systems.
(C5, C6, F1, F2, F3, F5, F11)
A. Understand how to properly manage chest tubes and water seals.
B. Explain the proper placement of a chest tube for certain pleural diseases.
C. Explain the procedure and indication for a thoracentesis.
V. Describe and explain polysomnography uses, interpretations, and general
sleep disorders.(C5, C6, F5, F11)
A. Explain the evaluation information used for polysomnography.
B. Describe the key features that are analyzed during polysomnography.
C. Explain the indications, precautions and complications of sleep studies.
D. Describe, explain and identify the three types of sleep apnea using
polysomnography.
VI. Utilize electrolyte values to determine metabolic disorders/disturbances. (C5,
C6, F5, F11)
A. Identify normal values and significance of the various chemistry
laboratory tests:
B. Explain the significance of the different electrolytes.
C. Explain the significance of the anion gap in distinguishing between
various metabolic disorders.
VII. Describe and explain the use of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in the
treatment of chronic disease processes. Define and describe the use of
pulmonary and cardiac exercise stress testing (C18, C19, C20, F1, F2, F3, F8,
F9, F11)
A. List the goals and objectives pulmonary rehabilitation aims to
achieve.
B. Disuss indications, contraindications and hazards that are associated
with pulmonary rehabilitation.
C. Discuss what educational content needs to be addressed in a
pulmonary rehabilitation program.
D. Describe what equipment and facilities are needed to run a pulmonary
rehabilitation program.
E. Explain the importance of titration of oxygen with exercise during
pulmonary rehabilitation.
F. Describe the indications and contraindications of cardiac stress
testing.
G. Explain the equipment used for stress testing and the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
H. Describe the normal response of stress testing.
VIII. Define and explain the use of bronchial challenge testing. (C5, C6, F1, F2,
F5)
A. Explain the use of bronchial challenge testing.
B. Describe the methacholine challenge test, histamine challenge test,
eucapnic voluntary ventilation, and exercise test for bronchial challenge.
C. Describe how to interpret the results of each bronchial challenge test.
D. Describe the P20 and the significance of this finding.
IX. Describe the basic quality control procedures for different types of equipment
utilized in Respiratory Care.(C5, C6, F2, F5)
A. Explain the difference between accuracy and precision.
B. Describe the calibration technique for spirometers, flowmeters,
pneumotachometers, blood gas analyzers, and gas analyzers.
C. Describe the difference between quality control and calibration.
D. Explain statistical information to tell if a blood gas analyzer is “in
control”.
E. Describe methods of point of care testing.
X. Create a resume and cover letter for mock job interviews (C5, C6, F1, F2, F5,
F6, F14)
A. Utilize resources available to write a precise and effective cover letter.
B. Create a precise and effective resume.
C. Prepare for and perform a mock interview
XI. Describe and explain the use of therapist driven protocols in patient care. (C5,
C6, C10, F1, F5, F11)
A. Explain what a therapist driven protocol is.
B. Describe the components of a TDP.
C. Create a therapist driven protocol using assessment tools and patient
information.
XII. Explain and describe the use of hyperbaric oxygenation, nitric oxide,
pulmonary vasodilation, and ECMO (ECLS). (C5, C6, F5, F11)
A. Explain the physiologic effects of HBO.
B. Describe the methods of administration.
C. Identify the indications and contraindications for HBO.
D. Explain how nitric oxide promotes pulmonary vasodilation
E. Identify and describe other pulmonary vasodilator medications
utilized for pulmonary hypertension.
F. Describe the types of disease processes that pulmonary vasodilators
can treat.
G. Describe the advantages, disadvantages, and adverse effects of nitric
oxide.
G. Describe the different types of neonatal diseases treated with ECLS.
H. Explain the patient selection for ECLS.
I. Be able to describe the two types of ECLS systems.
XIII. Explain the importance of health education and disease management of the
respiratory patient. Explain the process of home health care including the
equipment available to use. (C5, C6, F1, F5, F11)
A. Explain the key aspects of health education.
B. Describe and explain the steps to disease management and education of
the respiratory patient.
C. Identify/categorize COPD and Asthma utilizing the GOLD, GINA and
NAEPP guidelines.
D. Explain the benefits of home health care.
E. Describe and identify the patients that are candidates for home health care.
F. Describe how to educate and train the home health patient.
G. Describe and identify types of home health care equipment.
XIV. Describe and explain the respiratory care role in transporting patients.(C5,
C6, F1, F2, F5)
A. Describe the team composition for transport.
B. Explain and describe all equipment necessary for patient transport.
C. Describe the patient assessment and monitoring of patient’s during
inter and intra-hospital transport.
D. Explain the effect of altitude on patients during air transport.
XV. Identify and describe lung findings utilizing ultrasound technology.
Research and review Covid-19 disease process, treatment options and
safety recommendations. (C5, C6, F1, F2, F5)
A. Identify indications for lung ultrasound.
B. Describe the techniques for identifying lung problems utilizing lung
ultrasound
C. Identify normal landmarks of the chest wall as well as abnormal
findings utilizing lung ultrasound.
D. Research Covid-19 disease process to describe the
pathophysiological findings, treatment options and safety
recommendations for healthcare workers.