Respiratory Care 101 Cardiopulmonary Physiology I
Prerequisite: Admission to the Respiratory Care program
Offered every Fall

A study of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary system, specifically, the physiology of the lung, the function and enervation of cardiac muscle, cardiac circulation, cardiac pump, mechanics of breathing, oxygen and CO2 exchange, and control of ventilation. Three credits.

Preparation for the dynamics of clinical respiratory care and the intimate interaction of care with the acid-base status of the patient. The interrelationships of pH, oxygen, carbon dioxide and electrolytes are examined in great detail. The integration of care concepts is studied, with acute awareness of the effects of the cardiac, pulmonary and renal systems of human oxygenation and acid-base balance. Includes patient care scenarios, interpretation of analyzed blood gases, and required therapeutic intervention. Blood-gas instrumentation operation, maintenance, quality control and quality assurance are discussed. Two hours. Two credits.

A study of the following: how to calibrate, perform and interpret spirometry; simple bedside assessment, vital capacity, forced vital capacity and flow-volume loops; and the measure and interpretation of total lung volumes, using helium dilution, nitrogen washout and body plethysmography. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is introduced. Two lecture hours, one laboratory hour. Two credits.

A review of the basic assessment, interviewing and charting skills needed to prepare the student to enter the clinical setting. Students receive a supervised experience in a metropolitan respiratory care department, where they have the opportunity to apply the theory and skills learned in the classroom to the patient-care setting. Three lecture hours and clinical experience as assigned. Three credits.

A study of the theory behind respiratory care equipment and its assembly and use and a look at troubleshooting such equipment. Topics included are medical gases, medical gas therapy, aerosol and humidity therapy, and noninvasive monitoring. Four lecture hours, four laboratory hours. Five credits.

The study of normal and abnormal pathology and pathophysiology of the cardiopulmonary system. Special emphasis is placed on respiratory function in obstructive airway diseases, interstitial lung diseases, and neuromuscular respiratory failure. Case studies, pulmonary function evaluation, radiologic evaluation and lung scans are used to elucidate the pathophysiology. Three credits.

A study of advanced cardiac monitoring and support such as 12-lead EKGs, cardiac enzymes and management of right heart catheters. Heart failure and acute myocardial infarction, including defibrillation, cardioversion and intracranial balloon pump support, are discussed. Also covered is the monitoring of intra-cranial pressures as related to other aspects of respiratory care. The course addresses secretion removal and lung re-expansion therapies in several disease states. Also included is an introduction to fetal-neonatal care. Two lecture hours, two discussion hours. Three credits.

A study of the theory and practice of artificial airway management, positive pressure volume expansion therapies, mechanical ventilators, and interpretation of ventilator waveforms. Students assemble, use and troubleshoot equipment used in such therapies. Four lecture hour, four laboratory hours. Five credits.

A study of the use of drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory tract diseases. Of particular interest are drugs that affect the central nervous system and sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Also discussed are cardiovascular, respiratory and renal and conscious sedation drugs. For each drug, students learn the indications, contraindications, adverse reactions, doses, mechanisms of action and routes of administration. Three credits.

A course that addresses the respiratory care assessment and therapeutic interventions for emergency medicine, infectious diseases, pulmonary mycoses, neurology and other related areas. Emphasis is on evidence-based assessment and problem-solving skills. Students begin to develop the proposal for their senior paper. Three credits.

A study of the assessment and development of therapeutic plans for patients with chronic pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. Topics also include sleep studies, wellness and smoking cessation. Three credits.

A study of the cardiopulmonary system of the fetus, newborn and child and of the physiology, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of the neonatal and pediatric patient. Also addressed are the adaptation of therapeutic strategies for each developmental stage and the concept of family-centered care. Emphasized is the physiologic rationale underlying the therapeutic application of respiratory care modalities. Three lecture hours. Three credits.

Rotations in critical care, general care, neonatology, pediatrics, pulmonary function and surgical care units, in a15-week course that has 8 hours of laboratory/
lecture and 24 hours of clinical work per week. Eight credits.

A study of advanced cardiopulmonary monitoring and management of critically ill adult and pediatric patients. Examples of therapies covered are ECMO, high frequency ventilation, high frequency oscillation, liquid ventilation, nitric oxide therapy and the aspects of permissive hypercapnia. Also discussed are ventilator weaning, discontinuation and extubation/de-cannulation. Three credits.

Rotations through advanced clinical specititleies during students' final semester in a 15-week course that has eight hours of laboratory/lecture and 24 hours of clinical work per week. Eight credits.

An investigation of the problems in pulmonary medicine. Clinical simulation of problem-based learning is a strong focus. Aspects of management and supervision, education and research are introduced. Students present their research project papers. Clinical simulations both in the laboratory and on the computer are used for learning. Four credits.