Academic Catalog

RSPT 55C: MEDIATED STUDIES IN RESPIRATORY THERAPY III

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 0.5
Hours: 2 laboratory per week (24 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: RSPT 55B.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Identifies Breath sounds correctly.
  • Analyzes arterial blood gases.

Description

Third of seven courses paralleling content taught in courses in the Respiratory Therapy Program. Designed to develop and reinforce concepts taught in the concurrent lecture and laboratory sessions of the program, with a focus on patient assessment procedures, ventilation, and data interpretation. Media materials, simulations, and videos will provide alternative learning resources to accommodate diverse learning styles. Intended for students in the Respiratory Therapy Program; enrollment is limited to students accepted in the program.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to describe and demonstrate the following skills:

  1. Interpretation of arterial blood gases.
  2. Insertion of an arterial line.
  3. Performing and interpreting 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG).
  4. Performing a complete chest exam.
  5. Interpretation of basic chest radiographs.
  6. Non-invasive vs. invasive mechanical ventilation.
  7. Transitioning non-invasive ventilation patients from acute care.
  8. Ventilator weaning strategies in the ICU.

Course Content

  1. Arterial blood gas interpretation
    1. Normal state
    2. Acidosis
    3. Alkalosis
  2. Art lines
    1. Pre-procedure considerations for arterial line insertion
    2. Preparation for arterial line insertion
    3. Technique for performing arterial line insertion
    4. Post-procedure considerations
    5. Recording and reporting procedures
  3. 12-lead ECG
    1. Pre-procedure considerations for performing an ECG
    2. Preparation for performing an ECG
    3. Basic electrophysiology of the heart
    4. The electrical heart views and properties of a 12-lead ECG
    5. How to perform an accurate 12-lead ECG
    6. Tracings of a normal cardiac condition and common arrhythmias
    7. ECG artifacts and how to resolve them
    8. Post-procedure considerations
  4. Perform a complete chest exam
    1. Auscultation
    2. Palpation
    3. Percussion
  5. Basic chest radiographs
    1. Radiographic procedures of the chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway
    2. Radiographic positioning terminology
    3. Anatomical details of the chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway
    4. Chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway protocols
    5. Positioning criteria and anatomical landmarks for chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/airway projections
    6. Radiographic requirements for chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway with regards to trauma and pediatric patients
    7. Analyzing radiographs for quality and correct positioning criteria
    8. Chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway pathology, and identify what signs and symptoms relate to that pathology
  6. Non-invasive vs. invasive mechanical ventilation
    1. Indications for each
    2. Contraindications for each
    3. Interface selection for NIV
    4. Mode selection for each
  7. Transitioning NIV patients from acute care
    1. Indications
    2. Monitoring
    3. Assessments
  8. Ventilator weaning strategies
    1. Spontaneous breathing trials
    2. T-piece trials
    3. Monitoring
    4. Pulmonary mechanics

Lab Content

  1. Arterial blood gas interpretation
    1. Normal state
    2. Acidosis
    3. Alkalosis
  2. Art lines
    1. Describe pre-procedure considerations for arterial line insertion
    2. Describe and demonstrate the preparation for arterial line insertion
    3. Describe and demonstrate the correct technique for performing arterial line insertion
    4. Describe correct post-procedure considerations
    5. Describe correct recording and reporting procedures
  3. 12-lead ECG
    1. Describe pre-procedure considerations for performing an ECG
    2. Describe and demonstrate the preparation for performing an ECG
    3. Describe the basic electrophysiology of the heart
    4. Describe and explain the electrical heart views and properties of a 12-lead ECG
    5. Describe and demonstrate how to perform an accurate 12-lead ECG
    6. Identify tracings of a normal cardiac condition and common arrhythmias
    7. Identify and explain ECG artifacts and how to resolve them
    8. Know the correct post-procedure considerations
  4. Perform a complete chest exam
    1. Auscultation
    2. Palpation
    3. Percussion
  5. Basic chest radiographs
    1. Describe indications for radiographic procedures of the chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway
    2. Describe and utilize radiographic positioning terminology
    3. Discuss anatomical details of the chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway
    4. Discuss chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway protocols
    5. Describe positioning criteria and anatomical landmarks for chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/airway projections
    6. Discuss the radiographic requirements for chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway with regards to trauma and pediatric patients
    7. Analyze radiographs for quality and correct positioning criteria
    8. Discuss chest, bony thorax, and soft tissue neck/upper airway pathology, and identify what signs and symptoms relate to that pathology
  6. Non-invasive vs. invasive mechanical ventilation
    1. Indications for each
    2. Contraindications for each
    3. Interface selection for NIV
    4. Mode selection for each
  7. Transitioning NIV patients from acute care
    1. Indications
    2. Monitoring
    3. Assessments
  8. Ventilator weaning strategies
    1. Spontaneous breathing trials
    2. T-piece trials
    3. Monitoring
    4. Pulmonary mechanics

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

Computer and access to the internet.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Computer administered and scored examinations
Quizzes

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Interactive computer modules
Media materials will provide an alternative learning resource for non-traditional students

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

No textbook required. All course materials are provided by the college.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

Interactive computer modules.

Discipline(s)

Respiratory Technologies