Respiratory Therapy

This course introduces basic concepts concerning the levels of organization and structure of the human body. Topics that will be explored include anatomical planes and cavities, body fluids and their movement between compartments, electrolytes, and the regulation of the body’s pH. Additionally, cells, tissues, and membranes will be explored as well as the relationship between microbiology and anatomy and physiology. Further, students will be introduced to the skeletal, muscular, urinary, cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine, respiratory, and lymphatic systems of the body.

This course is designed to dive deeper into the anatomy and physiology of the cardiac, and respiratory systems.  Students will receive instruction on structure and function of the cardiopulmonary system, physiology of ventilation, oxygen transport, diffusion of gases, control of ventilation and applied physiology of gas laws, and the effects of aging on the cardiopulmonary system.

This course is a continuation of APR 102. In this course students will integrate the knowledge and skills learned in the prerequisite courses to consider patient scenarios and cases.  Lectures will concentrate on basic pulmonary functions, electrophysiology of the heart, 12-lead EKG for diagnostics and lead placement for monitoring critical care patients. The students will also learn the common dysrhythmias and the American Heart Association Standards for Advanced Cardiac Life Support.  Hemodynamic monitoring, renal failure and cardiopulmonary disorders caused by renal failure will be investigated.  The role of the respiratory therapist in pulmonary rehabilitation and the phases of rehabilitation will be researched by the students. We will also consider the effect of sleep, high altitude, and high-pressure environments on the cardiopulmonary system. 

In addition to certification preparation, this course provides the student with practical clinical experience at an approved off-campus clinical site.  This clinical rotation will allow students to apply skills and knowledge they have completed in the laboratory courses to provide direct patient care.  Students will be expected to perform patient assessments, deliver drug aerosol treatments through a variety of devices, provide oxygen therapy via different interfaces, provide bronchial hygiene therapy, obtain ABGs, and monitor the patient during therapeutic interventions.  

In addition to certification preparation, this course provides the student with practical clinical experience at an approved off-campus clinical site.  This course is a continuation of Clinical Education I.  Students will provide bronchial hygiene clearance therapy, lung expansion therapy, tracheostomy care, suctioning, and oxygen walk tests.  

In addition to certification preparation, this course provides the student with a practical clinical experience at an approved off-campus clinical site.  This course is a continuation of Clinical Education II.  Students will rotate to specialty areas and floors during this course.  Specialty areas include pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy lab, sleep lab, neonatal and pediatric floors, and pulmonary rehab.  
 

In addition to certification preparation, this course provides the student with practical clinical experience at an approved off-campus clinical site.  This course is a continuation of Clinical Education III.  Students will provide patient care in the intensive care setting. Students will initiate, adjust, monitor, and terminate mechanical ventilation, provide non-invasive ventilation, monitor hemodynamic status, and obtain and analyze ABGs. 
 

In addition to certification preparation, this course provides the student with a practical clinical experience at an approved off-campus clinical site.  This course is a continuation of Clinical Education IV. Students will provide patient care in the intensive care setting. Students will initiate, adjust, monitor, and terminate mechanical ventilation, provide non-invasive ventilation, monitor hemodynamic status, and obtain and analyze ABGs. 
 

This course introduces the basic concepts of chemistry with an emphasis placed on explaining macroscopic phenomena from a molecular perspective. Topics that will be explored include matter and energy, atoms, ions, the periodic table, chemical compounds, and composition, as well as topics related to chemical reactions and equations. Additionally, students will be introduced to the electron structure of the atom, chemical bonding, the gaseous, liquid, and solid states, as well as solutions. Further, reaction rates, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and fundamental mathematical principles crucial to the understanding of chemical concepts will be explored.

This course is designed to focus on the fundamentals of effective oral communication and the application of the fundamental principles of public speaking. The textbook, lectures, speaking assignments, and all written work will acquaint the student with the basic theory and practice of public speaking.

This introductory course provides an overview of law and ethics for allied health professionals and legal professionals functioning in a wide variety of settings. This course provides an introduction to the legal foundations of health-care in America. It is the responsibility of the American government to promote and protect the health and welfare of the public while respecting the interests, and upholding the rights, of the individual. The content of this course addresses how the law balances these collective and individual rights. The material covers a broad range of legal issues/topics in health care, including but not limited to: the American legal system, standards of care, scope of practice, physician patient relationships, standards of professional conduct, public duties, documentation, employment laws and practices, pertinent federal/state statutes, ethical codes, and bioethical issues. The content will provide an understanding of ethical and legal obligations to self, patients, and employer. Emphasis will be placed on applicable federal law, as well as limited state laws and regulations of the healthcare and legal professions.

This course is designed to teach the practical application of skills necessary to analyze a problem, determine the solutions and options available, and weigh the pros and cons of each to reach a workable solution.

This course provides an overview of general pharmacological principles with a focus on drugs that are presently used in respiratory care. Emphasis will be placed on the principles of drug action, the basic methods of drug administration, standard drug calculations, and the effects of drugs on body systems. Additionally, students will be introduced to the drugs most frequently delivered to patients by respiratory therapists as well as clinical applications for these specific medications.

This introductory course reviews basic concepts involving fractions, decimals, metric system, percentages, ratios and proportions, systems of measurement, time and temperature, prescriptions and drug calculation and weight-based dosage calculations. Emphasis is based on practical application of these concepts in the healthcare environment.  

This course is designed to teach the students basic theory of respiratory equipment and care of artificial airways.  Students will receive instruction on medical gas laws, production, storage, and delivery of medical gases, aerosol and humidity therapy, hyperinflation therapy, bronchial hygiene, and specialty diagnostic testing.  In addition, students will distinguish the differences between artificial airways and learn the proper care and placement.  Students will demonstrate intubation/extubation, trach insertion/decannulation, and equipment set up and delivery skills in the laboratory setting.  

This course is designed to introduce the students to the fundamentals of respiratory care assessment and patient care.  Students will receive instruction in patient assessment, including observation, auscultation, palpation and percussion. In addition, students will learn how to assess oxygenation and ventilation, interpret arterial blood gasses, hemoximetry, and other laboratory results. Finally, students will learn how to use the patient assessment and laboratory results to develop respiratory care plans. Students will demonstrate patient assessment, interviewing a patient and/or family, development of respiratory care plans, and acquiring ABG’s in the laboratory setting.

This course is designed to instruct the student on the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic interpretation and testing, treatment, and prognosis of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases.  

This course is designed to teach students how to assess bedside/lab spirometry and interpret detailed pulmonary function tests.  Students will analyze data and graphics for lung volumes, lung capacities, diffusion capacities, and maximum voluntary ventilation.  Students will be able to diagnose obstructive, restrictive, and combined diseases.  Instruction will also include bronchial provocation testing, exercise testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, and home care therapy.  
 

This course is designed to introduce the students to the development and growth of the fetus, maternal pregnancy and birthing process, resuscitative efforts, and assessment of the neonate transition post birth.  In addition, students will learn about the disorders of the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems for neonates and pediatric patients.  Students will demonstrate resuscitative efforts at birth per the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) guidelines and intubation of the airway in the laboratory setting. Students will also demonstrate resuscitation techniques for the pediatric patient per the PALS Program Guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association in the laboratory setting.
 

This course is designed to introduce the student to the intensive care unit and the logistics of mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic monitoring.  Students will be instructed on the indications, applications, and physical effects and complications of mechanical ventilation.  In addition, students will learn and interpret hemodynamic values and the applications to cardiopulmonary disease. Students will demonstrate initiation and adjustments mechanical ventilation in the laboratory setting.  
 

This course is a continuation of Critical Care/Mechanical Ventilation I.  Students will be instructed on mechanical ventilation graphics, advanced modes, high frequency mechanical ventilation, neonatal/pediatric ventilation, and critical care pharmacology.  In addition, students will learn the concepts of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), nitric oxide delivery, and care for the traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient.  Students will demonstrate interpretation of mechanical ventilation graphics and adjustments to mechanical ventilation based on laboratory data and patient assessment scenarios in the laboratory setting.

 This course prepares students to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing examination, Respiratory Therapy Examination.  Emphasis is placed on exam structure, content review, and test-taking strategies aligned with NBRC standards. Students will engage in practice exams, case-based simulations, and critical thinking exercises to reinforce clinical knowledge and decision-making. The course also includes review of adult, pediatric, and neonatal care. Successful completion supports eligibility and confidence in pursuing the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials.

This course is a continuation for preparing students to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) credentialing examination, Respiratory Therapy Examination.  Emphasis is placed on exam structure, content review, and test-taking strategies aligned with NBRC standards. Students will engage in practice exams, case-based simulations, and critical thinking exercises to reinforce clinical knowledge and decision-making. The course also includes review of adult, pediatric, and neonatal care. Successful completion supports eligibility and confidence in pursuing the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials.

Student Success is a comprehensive course designed to enhance student success and retention as well as help the student have greater success in achieving a career in respiratory therapy.  In this course, students will learn strategies for creating greater academic, professional, and personal success.  This course emphasizes basic learning principles with a focus on time management, setting learning goals, learning strategies, test preparation, medical language application and use of computers in the healthcare field. This course is designed to assist the student in understanding his/her learning styles and putting that information into practical use. This course may include selected topics such as career planning, study skills, stress management, tutoring, group guidance and other subjects to facilitate student success.