Academic Catalog

RSPT 53A: INTRODUCTION TO RESPIRATORY THERAPY PHARMACOLOGY

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

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:

  1. Calculate drug dosages from prepared-strength liquids.
  2. Solve percentage and solution problems.
  3. Describe the principles of drug action.
  4. Compare and contrast the autonomic effects in the cardiopulmonary system.
  5. Describe the mechanism of bronchospasm.
  6. Differentiate the pharmacologic effects of various respiratory medications.
  7. Based upon patient's condition, select the appropriate respiratory pharmacologic agent.

Course Content

  1. Drug dosage calculations
    1. Concentrations
    2. Volumes
    3. Nebulization duration
  2. Percentage and solution problems
    1. By body weight
    2. By duration
    3. For reconstituted drugs
  3. Principles of drug action
    1. General principles
    2. Principles related to respiratory therapy drugs, especially nebulized drugs
  4. Autonomic effects in the cardiopulmonary system
    1. Sympathetic nervous system
    2. Parasympathetic nervous system
    3. The mechanism of bronchospasm
  5. Mechanism of bronchospasm
    1. Constriction of the smooth bronchial muscles
    2. Airway inflammation
  6. Pharmacologic effects of various respiratory medications
    1. Sympathomimetics
    2. Parasympatholytics
    3. Xanthines
    4. Mucus controlling agents
    5. Surface active agents
    6. Cold and cough agents
    7. Corticosteroids
    8. Mediator antagonists
  7. Appropriate respiratory pharmacologic agents
    1. Rescue drugs
    2. 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

  1. Assigned reading from textbook, approximately one chapter per week
  2. Oral presentations
  3. Written case studies

Discipline(s)

Respiratory Technologies