May 14, 2024  
2023 - 2024 Catalog 
    
2023 - 2024 Catalog
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RT 118 - Basic Respiratory Care II

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 4

Presents the theory and application of skills required to control transmissible diseases, to perform an appropriate physical assessment of the respiratory care patient, and for the delivery of the basic respiratory care modalities of pharmacology, incentive spirometry, and chest physical therapy. Emphasizes treatment related to adult and pediatric patients with application to the specific disease states.

Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Respiratory Care Program
Corequisite(s): RT 117 , RT 121 , RT 126 , RT 131  
Lecture Hours: 38 Lab Hours: 14
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of classifying bacteria.
    1. Identify the five branches of microbiology.
    2. Explain the basic classifications of bacteria.
    3. Identify and describe the most common pathogens in the following categories:
      1. Bacteria
      2. Viruses
    4. State examples of diseases caused by the major pathogenic bacteria.
    5. State examples of diseases caused by the major pathogenic viruses.
    6. Describe and give examples of diseases caused by the following microorganisms:
    7. Describe and give examples of diseases caused by the major pathogenic fungi.
    8. State common protozoa infections.
      1. Rickettsiae
      2. Chlamydiae
      3. Mycoplasmas
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of how infection is spread and the use of infection control techniques.
    1. Describe the three elements that must be present for an infection to spread.
    2. Describe the major routes of pathogen transmission
    3. Identify the three major routes for the spread of infection into the lung.
    4. Explain how infection control aims to break the chain of events leading to the spread of infections.
    5. Describe the procedure for the following methods of eliminating the source of pathogens:
      1. Cleaning
      2. Disinfection
      3. Sterilization
    6. Describe the following infection control techniques used to:
      1. Maintain in-use equipment
      2. Process reusable equipment
      3. Protect fluids and medications
    7. Explain the current use of disposable equipment to control the spread of infection.
    8. Describe and demonstrate appropriate use of general barrier techniques of infection control:
    9. Describe the current CDC recommendations for isolation precautions in hospitals:
    10. Give examples of diseases/conditions where the different precautions would be needed.
    11. Describe acceptable modifications to the isolation categories.
    12. Describe and demonstrate appropriate use of the barrier precautions required/ recommended for use during invasive procedures.
    13. Describe the key components of a departmental bacteriologic surveillance program.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of drugs for use in respiratory care.
    1. Define the following terms:
      1. Drug
      2. Medication
      3. Pharmacology
      4. Pharmacy
    2. Explain the Receptor Theory of drug action.
    3. Explain the following terms regarding drug therapy:
      1. Drug side effects
      2. Adverse effects
      3. Affinity
      4. Agonists
      5. Partial agonists
      6. Antagonist
      7. Threshold level
      8. Potency
      9. Tolerance
      10. Tachyphylaxis
      11. Additive Effect
      12. Potentiation
    4. Identify what is required for a complete order for medication.
    5. List what should be checked prior to administering any medication.
    6. Describe the routes of administration for medication and give advantages or disadvantages of each.
    7. Characterize both the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous systems.
    8. Explain the function of neurotransmitters.
    9. Describe the effects of the following sympathetic effector site receptors:
      1. Alpha
      2. Beta1
      3. Beta2
    10. Describe the mechanism of bronchodilation.
    11. List the side effects of sympathomimetics and their cause.
    12. List the trade name, strength, relative effects, standard dosage, and duration of action of the following sympathomimetics.
      1. Epinephrine
      2. Racemic Epinephrine
      3. Isoproterenol
      4. Isoetharine
      5. Metaproterenol
      6. Terbutaline
      7. Albuterol
      8. Pirbuterol
      9. Salmeterol
    13. Describe the mechanism of action and side effects of xanthines.
    14. Give the therapeutic serum level for Theophylline.
    15. Explain the mechanism or action of the parasympatholytics.
    16. Describe the side effects of parasympatholytics.
    17. List the trade name, strength, and standard dosage of pratropium Bromide.
    18. Describe the use of:
      1. Steroids
      2. Cromolyn Sodium
    19. Define mucokinesis and describe the use of diluting agents and mucolytics.
    20. Calculate drug dosages and dilutions.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of how to identify respiratory patterns.
    1.  Define the following terms:
      1. Eupnea
      2. Hypopnea
      3. Hyperpnea
      4. Bradypnea
      5. Tachypnea
      6. Orthopnea
      7. Apnea
      8. Dyspnea
    2. Describe the following respiratory patterns and give an example of a disease or lesion which may cause it:
      1. Cheyne-Stokes
      2. Central neurogenic hyperventilation
      3. Kussmaul
      4. Apneusis
      5. Biot's
    3. Describe and explain what may be detected by each of the following techniques:
      1. Inspection (Observation)
      2. Palpation
      3. Percussion
      4. Auscultation
    4. Describe how tactile or vocal fremitus are used in the evaluation of the chest.
    5. Explain the use of the stethoscope.
    6. Describe characteristics of the following normal breath sounds:
      1. Vesicular
      2. Tracheal
      3. Bronchial
      4. Bronchovesicular
    7. Describe characteristics of adventitious breath sounds:
      1. Crackles (Rales)
      2. Rhonchi
      3. Wheezes
      4. Stridor
      5. Pleural rub
    8. Explain the use of the following voice sounds:
      1. Whispering pectoriloquy
      2. Bronchopony
      3. Egophony
    9. Summarize typical physical findings in the following common respiratory diseases:
      1. Consolidation
      2. Atelectasis
      3. Pleural effusion
      4. Empyema
      5. Pneumothorax
      6. Asthma
      7. Emphysema
    10. Describe the mechanisms that produce normal and abnormal heart sounds.
    11. Explain those mechanisms that produce changes in the normal heart sounds.
    12. Describe the physical characteristics of the following types of sputum:
      1. Normal
      2. Mucoid
      3. Purulent
    13. Explain what may be indicated if sputum takes on the following colors:
      1. Yellow
      2. Green
      3. Brown
      4.  Red
    14. Perform an appropriate chest physical exam utilizing the skills covered in this unit.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of how to promote bronchial hygiene, chest physiotherapy, and incentive spirometry.
    1. Define and state the goals of chest physiotherapy.
    2. Describe the following techniques to promote bronchial hygiene:
      1. Postural drainage
      2. Percussion
      3. Vibration
    3. Perform appropriate:
      1. Postural drainage
      2. Percussion
      3. Vibration
    4. Describe the clinical indications for and give examples of diseases often requiring postural drainage.
    5. Describe the precautions and relative contraindications to postural drainage.
    6. Describe the precautions and relative contraindications to percussion and vibration.
    7. Identify the three lobes of the right lung and their corresponding (ten) segments.
    8. Identify the two lobes of the left lung and their corresponding (eight) segments.
    9. Describe the twelve positions for draining the various lung segments.
    10. Give an appropriate rationale for choosing a particular sequence when draining various lung segments.
    11. Explain and demonstrate appropriate patient instruction for:
      1. Pursed lip breathing
      2. Diaphragmatic breathing
      3. An effective cough
    12. Explain the physiologic basis for Incentive Spirometry (IS)/Sustained Maximal Inspiration (SMI).
    13. Describe the indications, contraindications, hazards, and complications of IS/SMI.
    14. Describe the equipment utilized for IS/SMI.
    15. Demonstrate the ability to perform appropriate IS/SMI therapy.
    16. Make modifications to a respiratory care plan based on the patient’s response to IS/SMI and chest physical therapy.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of asthma, epiglottitis, and cystic fibrosis.
    1. Define each of the following:
      1. Laryngotracheobronchitis
      2. Epiglottitis
    2. For each of the above, describe the:
      1. Etiology
      2. Onset
      3. Usual age of onset
      4. Clinical presentation
      5. X-ray findings
      6. Treatment
    3. Define the term “asthma” and describe its:
      1. Etiology
      2. Incidence
      3. Pathophysiology
      4. Clinical presentation
      5. Treatment
    4. Describe each of the following regarding cystic fibrosis:
      1. Etiology
      2. Pathophysiology
      3. Diagnosis
      4. CXR
      5. Clinical presentation
      6. Treatment



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