RESP 201A - Respiratory Care 3

6 credits

The drawing and analysis of blood gases, their interpretation, blood gas physiology and pathophysiology, as well as the applicable instrumentation. Also covered is complete pulmonary function testing, including body plethysmography, spirometry, diffusion, and lung volumes. The setup, operation, and maintenance of equipment, as well as interpretation of data and its application to patient care. The final segment of this course covers the causes, diagnosis, and management of Acute Respiratory Failure. Emphasis is placed on the care of the patient requiring continuous mechanical ventilation and the patient-ventilator interface. Laboratory practicums include arterial punctures, arterial and venous vascular line maintenance, maintenance and proficiency testing of blood gas analyzers, flow-volume loops, carbon monoxide diffusion tests, lung volumes including FRC, ventilator circuit changes, application of contemporary ventilators to lung simulators, trouble-shooting patient-ventilator alarm situations, adjustment of ventilator parameters to specific clinical conditions, and critical care bedside spirometry.

Corequisite: RESP 202A Respiratory Care 3 Lab and RESP 241 Clinical Experience 3.
Prerequisites: RESP 103A Respiratory Care 2 and RESP 145 Summer Clinical Experience 1.