RTS111 Introduction to Respiratory Care 5 Credits This course will provide students with a foundation for respiratory care practice. Students will be introduced to the basic philosophies and therapeutic modalities of respiratory care. Included in this course are units that provide an overview of microbiology and self-paced medical terminology. Other topics include the medical record and documentation, therapeutic communication, cardiopulmonary assessment, disaster preparedness and response, applied respiratory physics, infection control, production and storage of medical gases, medical gas administration, humidity therapy, and aerosol therapy including aerosolized medications. Laboratory exercises are designed to allow students to become familiar with representative equipment discussed in lecture. In addition, students will become competent in the basic therapies and begin to apply entry level critical thinking skills. Prerequisite: Admission in the Respiratory Therapy Program. RTS112 Therapeutic Modalities in Respiratory Care 5 Credits The following topics are covered in this course: resuscitation devices, lung expansion and bronchial hygiene modalities, airway management, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, health promotion and disease prevention, and respiratory care in alternate sites. Investigation of these topics will include appropriate utilization of the modalities, determination of abnormal conditions that would necessitate modification of therapy, equipment use, assessment of need, and outcome of therapy. The use of clinical practice guidelines will be incorporated throughout the course. Students will begin to develop clinical decision making skills necessary to deliver safe patient care. Laboratory exercises are designed to allow students to become familiar with representative equipment discussed in lecture. In addition, students will become competent in the modalities discussed in this course. Prerequisite: RTS111. RTS117 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology 3 Credits This course is designed to present a comprehensive overview of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary system. The etiology, classification, and clinical manifestations of renal failure will also be discussed. The material presented in this course will serve as the foundation that will allow the student to develop an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the respiratory, cardiovascular, and renal systems. RTS120 Clinical Practicum I 3 Credits During this first clinical practicum the respiratory therapy student will be introduced to health care delivery in the hospital environment. The student will be working with patient care procedures which were previously taught in the first and second semester didactic and lab courses. The clinical activities will be scheduled at various area hospitals. These activities will be performed under the direct supervision of KVCC faculty and clinical preceptors. The student will subsequently be required to successfully complete competency evaluations for specific procedures. The student will be allowed to perform these procedures under indirect supervision after this evaluation process has been completed. The student may also observe more advanced procedures as they become available. Pre/Co-requisites: RTS112, RTS114, RTS117, RTS121/RTS127. RTS121 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics 3 Credits This course is designed to provide the student with a sound foundation in cardiopulmonary diagnostic procedures. The topics to be covered will include: tests for oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base balance, pulmonary function testing, cardiopulmonary stress testing, metabolic and nutritional assessment, polysomnography, and echocardiography. Interpretation of test results and use of the information obtained to formulate patient care plans will be stressed. Prerequisites: CHE113, RTS111, RTS113, RTS117. RTS127 Respiratory Pharmacology 2 Credits This course is designed to provide the respiratory therapy student with a background in pharmacology as it relates to his or her role as a respiratory therapist. Covered in this course are the following topics: general pharmacologic principles, calculation of medication dosages, and autonomic nervous system response to various cardiopulmonary medications. Specific categories of respiratory drugs will be discussed. CNS depressants and skeletal muscle relaxants will be described as they relate to the care of the respiratory patient. Drugs used to aid in smoking cessation will be discussed. ACLS drugs will be identified. Pediatric and geriatric age specific concerns will be addressed. Pre/Co-requisites: BIO214, RTS117. RTS223 Mechanical Ventilation 3 Credits The student will be provided with an in-depth discussion of the mechanically ventilated patient. The discussion will focus on establishing the need for mechanical ventilation, the initiation of mechanical ventilation, modification of ventilatory parameters based on patient response, weaning and eventual discontinuance of mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilators will be classified according to their capabilities and uses. Specific ventilators and ventilatory techniques will also be presented. Laboratory exercises will be dispersed throughout the course as specific modes of ventilation and ventilators are presented. Pre/Co-requisites: RTS112, RTS114, RTS117. RTS224 Concepts in Critical Care 3 Credits This course will provide the student with an understanding of the principles of electrocardiography and other aspects of cardiopulmonary collapse. Management of the critically ill patient will include hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, infection control, and cardiopulmonary collapse in the critical care area. Patient assessment will be reviewed with an emphasis on the special needs of the critically ill patient. The special needs of transporting a critically ill patient will be identified. ACLS protocols will be discussed and demonstrated. Pre/Co-requisite: RTS223. RTS225 Perinatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care 3 Credits This course will provide the student with a brief overview of fetal, neonatal, and pediatric growth and development. Assessment of the patient at each developmental stage will be used to determine the condition of the patient and appropriate intervention. The role of the respiratory therapist in the birthing process will be summarized as well as stabilization of the newborn and newborn resuscitation. Pediatric resuscitation and appropriate respiratory care modalities with this patient population will be discussed. Various diseases and disorders germane to this patient population will be described. Mechanical ventilation and special procedures for this patient group will be investigated. Adapting care to diverse patient needs will be integrated throughout. Pre/Co-requisites: RTS112, RTS114, RTS117. RTS226 Cardiopulmonary Pathology 3 Credits This course provides a foundation in the principles of cardiopulmonary pathology by means of a case study format. Pathological conditions of other body systems are integrated throughout the course. Emphasis is placed on the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of the disorders which are discussed. Prerequisites: BIO214, BIO216, RTS127, RTS121. RTS229 Clinical Practicum II 5 Credits During this second in a series of three clinical courses, the respiratory therapy students will continue to gain proficiency in the clinical procedures that they were involved with during Clinical Practicum I. Student experiences are structured to provide exposure to diverse patient populations and students are encouraged to begin to look at patient care from a holistic perspective. The clinical activities are scheduled at various health care facilities. Students are required to successfully complete competency evaluations for specific procedures in the critical care and diagnostic areas. They will be allowed to perform most of these procedures under indirect supervision after this evaluation has been completed. Pre/Co-requisites: RTS120,RTS127, RTS223, RTS225, RTS226. RTS230 Clinical Practicum III 5 Credits This is the final clinical course in the Respiratory Therapy program. Students will be involved in all aspects of cardiorespiratory care. Students will be refining their patient care skills and defining their role as future respiratory therapists and members of the health care team. All program procedural competencies will be completed by the end of this course. Pre/Co-requisites: RTS229/RTS224. RTS231 Respiratory Care Senior Seminar 1 Credit Students in the capstone course will be provided with the opportunity to investigate pertinent professional issues in a problem based learning format. Topics will include: reimbursement in the health care setting, medical ethics, licensure and credentialing, membership in professional organizations, and principles of case management. Pre/Co-requisites: RTS229/RTS230. RTS251 Introduction to Polysomnography 3 Credits The basic principles of polysomnography will be presented. Patient setup and electrode application for overnight recording, the sleep history, and the technologist’s assessment of the patient are discussed in detail. Determination of recording parameters, instrument settings, polysomnography and patient calibrations are emphasized. An overview of sleep disorders is provided with emphasis on those routinely seen in sleep disorders centers. These disorders include obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic limb movements in sleep, and others. Methods of treatment including CPAP and surgical treatments are discussed. The techniques of sleep staging according to the national standards of Rechtschaffen & Kales Scoring Criteria are introduced in this course. Respiratory event scoring, movement and arousal scoring criteria are also outlined. Pre/Co-requisite: Matriculating student in the Respiratory Therapy program or licensed Respiratory Therapist.