RSPT 53A: INTRODUCTION TO RESPIRATORY THERAPY PHARMACOLOGY
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading | Value |
---|---|
Effective Term: | Summer 2025 |
Units: | 2 |
Hours: | 2 lecture per week (24 total per quarter) |
Prerequisite: | RSPT 50A. |
Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
Foothill GE: | Non-GE |
Transferable: | CSU |
Grade Type: | Letter Grade Only |
Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Describe the mechanism of bronchospasm and differentiate the pharmacologic effects of sympathomimetic bronchodilators, parasympatholytics, xanthine bronchodilators, mucus-controlling agents, surface-active agents, cold and cough agents, corticosteroids, and mediator antagonists.
- Describe the principles of drug action.
Description
An in-depth study of drug groups commonly used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. 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:
- Calculate drug dosages from prepared-strength liquids.
- Solve percentage and solution problems.
- Describe the principles of drug action.
- Compare and contrast the autonomic effects in the cardiopulmonary system.
- Describe the mechanism of bronchospasm.
- Differentiate the pharmacologic effects of various respiratory medications.
- Based upon patient's condition, select the appropriate respiratory pharmacologic agent.
Course Content
- Drug dosage calculations
- Concentrations
- Volumes
- Nebulization duration
- Percentage and solution problems
- By body weight
- By duration
- For reconstituted drugs
- Principles of drug action
- General principles
- Principles related to respiratory therapy drugs, especially nebulized drugs
- Autonomic effects in the cardiopulmonary system
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
- The mechanism of bronchospasm
- Mechanism of bronchospasm
- Constriction of the smooth bronchial muscles
- Airway inflammation
- Pharmacologic effects of various respiratory medications
- Sympathomimetics
- Parasympatholytics
- Xanthines
- Mucus controlling agents
- Surface active agents
- Cold and cough agents
- Corticosteroids
- Mediator antagonists
- Appropriate respiratory pharmacologic agents
- Rescue drugs
- Maintenance drugs
Lab Content
Not applicable.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
For all offerings, in-person or online/hybrid: Mac/PC computer or mobile device; internet access.
Method(s) of Evaluation
Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:
Assessments
Problem solving exercises
Method(s) of Instruction
Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:
Lecture
Demonstrations
Group exercises
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Gardenhire. Rau's Respiratory Care Pharmacology. 2020.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
- Assigned reading from textbook, approximately one chapter per week
- Oral presentations
- Written case studies
Discipline(s)
Respiratory Technologies