Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care - Entry to the Profession

RESC 3002. Fundamentals of Respiratory Care. 5 Credit Hours.

The course will present the principles of chemistry and physics as they apply to respiratory care. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with basic respiratory care equipment. Specific types of therapy are examined to understand the principles of application to patients, indications, hazards, contraindications, select, assemble, and troubleshoot equipment. Equipment will include oxygen delivery services, aerosol generators, medication delivery devices, pressure ventilators, gas delivery, metering and analyzing devices, percussor, positive pressure devices, environmental devices, manometers, gauges, and vacuum systems.

RESC 3005. Respiratory Care Pharmacology. 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces the physiologic and pharmacologic basis of pulmonary and cardiac medications. Students will study several aspects of the formulation and preparation of the most commonly prescribed respiratory drugs. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacoknetics will be discussed along with drug formulation, drug dosage calculations, indications, contraindications and side effects of cardiac and pulmonary medications. Topics covered include an overview of bronchactive agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-asthmatics, neuromuscular blocking agents, diuretics, cardiac drugs and drugs that affect the central nervous system.

RESC 3007. Cardiopulmonary Physiology. 5 Credit Hours.

This course provides an in-depth study of cardiac and pulmonary anatomy and physiology, as well as the diagnostic procedures commonly used in the hospital to evaluate these systems. Topics include the function of the respiratory system, ventilatory mechanics, gas transport in the blood, natural and chemical regulation of breathing, circulation, blood flow and pressure, and cardiac output. The heart-lung relationship and clinical applications of these phenomena in the cardiopulmonary system will be emphasized.

RESC 3008. Introduction to Clinical Practice. 1 Credit Hour.

The introduction to clinical practice provides the students the opportunity to observe and attain clinical competencies related to respiratory care procedures in general medical and surgical floors. This course introduces students to the clinical respiratory care procedures. Topics include: introduction to the hospital and patient assessment, medical gas therapy, aerosol therapy, airway clearance therapy, hyperinflation therapy and airway care.

RESC 3009. Introduction to Critical Care. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides the students the opportunity to observe and achieve competencies related to respiratory care procedures in the critical care units, the diagnostic labs, and other specialty areas. The topics include initiation of mechanical ventilation, patient stabilization and monitoring, measurement and evaluation of hemodynamic variables, bronchial hygiene, evaluation for weaning, extubation, arterial line samples, arterial puncture, blood gas analysis, and noninvasive monitoring. Clinical Practice observation and previous semester courses are a prerequisite to take this course.

RESC 3011. Introduction to Patient Assessment. 5 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of respiratory assessment to include review of existing data in the patient record, patient history, physical examination, oximetry, blood gases, respiratory monitoring, pulmonary function assessment, laboratory studies, chest and upper airway radiographs, ventilation/perfusion scans, bedside EKG interpretation, cardiovascular monitoring, and nutritional assessment. The student will be introduced to the concepts associated with chronic care and disease management.

RESC 3018. Diseases Affecting the Respiratory System. 4 Credit Hours.

The course provides a comprehensive approach to etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of common pulmonary diseases and syndromes. Main topics include obstructive and restrictive pulmonary and cardiovascular disorders. Non-respiratory disorders impacting cardiopulmonary function commonly encountered in the critical care unit will be discussed.

RESC 3023. Pulmonary Function Testing. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of diagnostic tests used to evaluate normal and abnormal pulmonary function. Students will have the opportunity to perform, interpret and evaluate various tests of lung functions, including spirometry, measurement of lung volumes, diffusing capacity and metabolic measurements. Additionally, students will learn how to operate, calibrate and do quality control on pulmonary function and gas analysis equipment.

RESC 3031. Critical Respiratory Care Management. 5 Credit Hours.

This course provides a study of invasive and non-invasive patient monitoring techniques and equipment. Invasive topics will include arterial pressure monitoring, central venous and pulmonary artery catheters, as well as cardiac output measurement. Non-invasive monitoring topics include pulse oximetry, transcutaneous monitoring, inductance plethysmography, capnogrpahy and electrocardiogram. It also covers instruction on the phase of adult critical care and continuous mechanical ventilation. The history of mechanical ventilation , modes of mechanical ventilatory support, implementation, patient stabilization, monitoring, hemodynamcis, ventilator weaning and discontinuance will be covered.

RESC 4003. Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care. 4 Credit Hours.

The processes of growth and development relating to respiratory care, from the fetus to the adolescent, will be discussed. The study relates physiologic function to respiratory care including assessment, evaluation, and treatment. Topics include fetal growth and development, neonatal growth and development, fetal assessment, fetal evaluation, neonatal assessment, neonatal evaluation, neonatal respiratory care, neonatal pathology, pediatric pathology, and pediatric respiratory care.

RESC 4014. Clinical Practice 1. 9 Credit Hours.

Students will have an opportunity to develop skills required in the basic floor and intensive care of the respiratory patient. Topics include patient assessment, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy, airway clearance therapy, airway care using the various tracheal tubes, initiation of mechanical ventilation, comprehensive ventilator management, measurement and evaluation of hemodynamic parameters, invasive and noninvasive monitoring, arterial blood gas puncture and analysis.

RESC 4017. Introduction to Research. 3 Credit Hours.

This course provides an overview of the basic principles of research, research design and statistical analysis as it relates to healthcare professionals, with the goal of encouraging involvement in research after graduation. Students will develop a hypothesis, write a problem statement, review the literature, and evaluate the literature.

RESC 4018. Clinical Practice 1 Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.

Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and theory. Review of respiratory care with an emphasis on problem solving and decision making. Self Assessment credentialing examinations will be administered for preparation of the national credentialing examination. Current issues relevant to respiratory care will be discussed to include new treatments and technologies, and issues related to critical care, professional development and practice.

RESC 4024. Clinical Practice 2. 9 Credit Hours.

This clinical course develops skills for caring for critically ill patients in the adult, pediatric and neonatal units. Topics include: Patient Assessment, medical gas therapy, lung expansion therapy, airway clearance therapy, mechanical ventilation, patient stalization and monitoring, evaluation of hemodynamic parameters, evaluation of ventilator weaning, intubation and extubation, all monitoring devices, labor and delivery and patient transport. In addition, tracheostomy care, ventilator monitoring, arterial puncture and blood gas analysis, endotracheal intubation, EKG, Pulmonary function diagnostics and bronchoscopy observation.

RESC 4028. Clinical Practice 2 Seminar. 3 Credit Hours.

Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and theory. Emphasis will be placed on decision making and problem-solving as they relate to neonatal and pediatric cardiopulmonary critical care. Current issues relevant to the neonatal and pediatric respiratory critical care will be discussed. Review of respiratory care will continue as it pertains to the Therapist Multiple Choice and Clinical Simulation credentialing examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

RESC 4091. Independent Study. 1-6 Credit Hours.

This course includes independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. The course may be repeated.

RESC 5013. Management & Leadership in Health Profession. 3 Credit Hours.

Leadership principles and management of respiratory care departments, health care organizations and programs will be studied.

RESC 5015. Education in Respiratory Care. 3 Credit Hours.

This course is an introduction to basic principles and techniques used in respiratory care education. Topics include patient education, inservice education, course design, objectives, lesson-plan development, learning activities, use of media, development of presentations, testing, and evaluation.

RESC 6301. Advanced Patient Assessment and Care Plan Development. 3 Credit Hours.

Advanced patient evaluation and the design and implementation of evidence-based respiratory care plans will be emphasized. Evidence-based practice and critical diagnostic thinking are reviewed and applied to the review of the medical record, patient interview, physical assessment and evaluation of diagnostic studies. Assessment of oxygenation, ventilation, and arterial blood gases are reviewed. Laboratory studies, imaging studies and ECG monitoring and interpretation are discussed. Pulmonary function testing, diagnostic bronchoscopy and other diagnostic studies are also described. Acute and critical care monitoring, sleep studies and maternal and perinatal/neonatal patient assessment are overviewed. The student will integrate assessment findings in the development and evaluation of care plans for specific disease states and conditions.

RESC 6302. Advanced Critical Care and Ventilatory Support. 3 Credit Hours.

Provides advanced instruction over all phases of adult critical care and continuous mechanical ventilation. Principles of critical-care are reviewed followed by a discussion of respiratory failure to include recognition, causes, and treatment. Principles of mechanical ventilation are then reviewed, and resources provided regarding the operation and features of the major critical care ventilators. An in-depth discussion of the indications for, and implementation of invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilatory support is provided and patient stabilization and adjustment of ventilatory support is described, to include patient assessment and monitoring. High-frequency ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, use of inhaled nitric oxide, and mechanical ventilatory assistance are described and point-of-care ultrasound, as well as other diagnostic and supportive techniques used in the ICU are reviewed. An overview of neonatal and pediatric critical respiratory care is provided, followed by an in-depth discussion of ventilator discontinuance.