Academic Catalog

RSPT 61A: ADULT MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 4
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: RSPT 50C and 51C.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Apply the principles of oxygen delivery and arterial blood gas analysis to patient case scenarios to determine appropriate ventilator therapy.
  • Identifies ventilator waveforms and suggests ventilator setting modifications.

Description

Develops and enhances the concepts and skills essential to meet the needs of patients placed on invasive and non-invasive ventilation. Overview of modes of ventilation, humidification, and medication delivery. Includes laboratory exercises of commonly used ventilators and patient-ventilator simulations. New ventilators and state-of-the-art theories on ventilation are presented based upon current research. 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:

  1. Input appropriate initial ventilator settings based on the principles of oxygen delivery and arterial blood gas analysis applied to patient case scenarios.
  2. Set up a mechanical ventilator (Trilogy, Servo u, Servo i, Pulmonetics LTV1200, and Drager V500).
  3. Check ventilator settings on a mechanical ventilator.
  4. Suggest changes in ventilator parameters based on patient data.
  5. Recognize ventilator malfunction, given patient simulations.
  6. Change ventilator circuits.
  7. Explain when to use the various modes of ventilation.
  8. Perform calculations, e.g., Raw, Cst, Ti, I:E, Flow, Vt, ventilator settings.
  9. Compare and contrast pressure control and volume control ventilation.
  10. Identify ventilator waveforms and suggest ventilator setting modifications.
  11. Identify capnographic waveforms and suggest appropriate treatment.
  12. Perform spontaneous breathing trials, recommend weaning techniques.
  13. Suggest ventilator settings to decrease work of breathing.

Course Content

  1. Initial ventilator settings
    1. FiO2
    2. Mode
    3. Tidal volume
    4. Rate
    5. I time
    6. Peep
    7. Pressure support
    8. Flow
    9. Back up apnea parameters
  2. Initiate mechanical ventilation
    1. Hamilton G5
    2. PB840
    3. Servo i and Servo U
    4. Drager XL and Drager V500
    5. Pulmonetics LTV1200
  3. Ventilator system check
    1. Mode
    2. FiO2
    3. Tidal volume set and spontaneous
    4. Set and total rate
    5. Minute volume
    6. Peak inspiratory pressure
    7. Plateau pressure
    8. Mean airway pressure
    9. Set PEEP and measured PEEP
    10. Pressure support
    11. Flow
    12. I time
    13. I:E ratio
    14. Pulmonary mechanics
    15. Alarm settings
    16. Back up apnea parameters
    17. Humidification
  4. Parameter changes based on:
    1. ABG results
    2. Ventilator waveforms and loops
    3. Pulmonary mechanics
    4. Patient dyssynchrony
    5. Clinical changes in the patient
  5. Troubleshooting ventilator problems
    1. Leak recognition
    2. Kinked tubing
    3. Disconnection
  6. Change ventilator circuits
    1. 2 person method
    2. Criteria for changing circuit
  7. Modes of ventilation
    1. Weaning modes
    2. Volume modes
    3. Pressure modes
    4. APRV
    5. HFOV
    6. IRV
  8. Calculations
    1. Static compliance (Cs)
    2. I:E ratio
    3. Airway resistance (Raw)
  9. Modes of ventilation
    1. Assist control
      1. Volume
      2. Pressure
      3. Hybrid
    2. SIMV
      1. Volume
      2. Pressure
      3. Hybrid
    3. CSV/Spont
  10. Waveform interpretation
    1. Scalars
    2. Loops
  11. Capnography
    1. Waveform interpretation
    2. Troubleshooting
  12. Spontaneous weaning trials
    1. RSBI
    2. MIF/VC
    3. PF ratio
    4. T-piece trials
  13. Ventilator parameters
    1. Sensitivity
    2. Ramp
    3. Flow adjustments
    4. Mode changes
    5. ATC (automatic tube compensation)

Lab Content

  1. Ventilator set up
    1. Initial settings
    2. Completion of a ventilator check
  2. Management of ventilator settings
    1. Troubleshooting according to different patient scenarios
  3. Set ventilator alarms and sensitivity appropriately

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Calculator, watch with second hand, scissors.
2. Ventilators; compressed gas source.
3. PC computer and projection monitor.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Assessments
Laboratory competency check-offs

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Lecture presentations and classroom discussion on the topic of mechanical ventilation
In-class demonstration and practical application of the different modes of ventilation

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Cairo. Mechanical Ventilation: Physiology and Clinical Application, 7th ed.. 2020.

Kacmarek, Stoller, and Heuer. Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, 12th ed.. 2021.

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

Reading assignments in the required texts.

Discipline(s)

Respiratory Technologies