Respiratory Care (RESP)
RESP 1100 - Introduction to Respiratory Care (1 Credit)
This course introduces students to the Respiratory Care profession and the skills needed to become a Respiratory Therapist. Topics will include the history of the Respiratory Care profession, and a discussion of the future of Respiratory Care. A description of the organization of a hospital Respiratory Care department and an overview of common modalities and specialized areas of Respiratory Care including an introduction to Therapist driven protocols and clinical practice guidelines. A discussion of job opportunities and areas for advancement within the profession. An overview of legal and ethical issues impacting health care, and particularly Respiratory Care, in today's Health Care environment. Universal precautions and OSHA blood and body fluids precautions will be presented. The functions of the NBRC, AARC, CoARC and the Georgia Medical Board will be examined and the credentialing and licensing processes outlined. Offered: Summer.
Corequisites: RESP 1111
Lecture hours: 1
RESP 1111 - Fundamentals of Respiratory Care (3 Credits)
This course introduces the principles and practices of Non Critical Respiratory Care. The course will emphasize the use of Therapist Driven Protocols and Clinical Practice Guidelines. Basic Respiratory Care skills in modalities such as oxygen, humidity, bland aerosol, medicated aerosol, passive hyperinflation, chest physiotherapy, postural drainage, airway clearance therapies, arterial blood gases and bedside pulmonary function studies will be developed. Emphasis will be placed on setting up, using and troubleshooting equipment, and on the physical and physiologic principles of gas exchange, ventilation, acid/base balance and gas laws. To progress to RESP 2201, each student will be required to successfully complete and pass a Lab competency exam. Basic math competency is required. Students may be required to demonstrate proficiency in basic math skills for progression in the program, A passing score of “C" or better is required for progression in the program. The American Heart Association Basic Life Support course will be included in this course. Offered: Summer.
Corequisites: RESP 1100
Lecture hours: 2
Lab hours: 3
RESP 1131 - Patient Assessment & Protocols (4 Credits)
This course introduces the concepts and techniques of patient assessment through inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The student will demonstrate proficiency in patient physical examination, and taking a complete patient medical history. Principles of barrier protection for blood and body fluid exposures, and isolation precautions will be emphasized. Basic chest x-ray interpretation, basic ECG monitoring, basic laboratory values such as CBC, electrolytes, and basic microbiology are presented. Assessment of critically ill patients is introduced. Each student will be required to successfully complete a Lab competency examination. Offered: Fall. .
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111
Corequisites: RESP 1132, RESP 1133, RESP 1134
Lecture hours: 3
Lab hours: 3
RESP 1132 - Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology (2 Credits)
A general pharmacology course for the respiratory care professional caring for the acute and subacute patient. Emphasis will be placed on the indications, contraindication, hazards, and routes of administration for the drugs discussed. The pharmacology of the major therapeutic classes of drugs important to respiratory care will be presented. Offered: Fall Semester.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111
Corequisites: RESP 1131, RESP 1133, RESP 1134
Lecture hours: 2
RESP 1133 - Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology (3 Credits)
A study of normal and abnormal anatomy and pathophysiology of the cardiac, pulmonary, and renal systems. The mechanisms of homeostatic control for acid/base balance, ventilation, gas transport and circulation will be addressed. Hemodynamic monitoring will be emphasized. Offered: Fall.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111
Corequisites: RESP 1131, RESP 1132, RESP 1134
Lecture hours: 3
RESP 1134 - Cardiopulmonary Diseases & TRM (2 Credits)
A survey course of the clinical pathophysiology of selected cardiopulmonary diseases. The emphasis will be placed on the description of the etiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, therapeutics and prognosis of acute and chronic diseases of the cardiopulmonary patient. Offered: Fall.
Corequisites: RESP 1131, RESP 1132, RESP 1133, RESP 2201
Lecture hours: 2
RESP 1135 - Mechanical Ventilation and Critical Care (5 Credits)
This course introduces the critical care modalities of airway management including tracheal suctioning and endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy care, concepts of mechanical ventilation are presented. Other critical care skills such as arterial lines, hemodynamic monitoring, advanced patient monitoring, bronchoscopy, and tracheostomy are presented. Basic math skills are required for this course. Each students may be required to pass a math competency exam to demonstrate proficiency. East student will be required to successfully pass a lab competency exam in order to progress to RESP 2201. Offered: Spring Semester.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111 and RESP 1131 and RESP 1134 and RESP 1133
Corequisites: RESP 1138
Lecture hours: 3
Lab hours: 6
RESP 1136 - Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care (3 Credits)
This course presents the physiological and clinical concepts of mechanical ventilation and critical care monitoring of the pediatric and neonatal patient. The course focuses on respiratory care modaliaites and concepts specifically related to the pediatric and neonatal patient. Some topics include: ventilator design & function, assessment & monitoring of pediatric/neonatal patients, techniques for improving ventilation & oxygenation, weaning strategies, and labor & delivery. Critical thinking skills will be emphasized to support the application of neonatal/pediatric physician and therapist driven protocols. Offered: Summer. .
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111 and RESP 1131 and RESP 1134 and RESP 1133
Corequisites: RESP 1137
Lecture hours: 2
Lab hours: 3
RESP 1137 - Specialized Areas of Resp Care (2 Credits)
This course surveys the important principles and practices of Respiratory Care in the following specialty areas: Pulmonary Function Testing, Polysomnography and Sleep Disorders, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Geriatric Care, and Home Care. Students will apply the knowledge learned in this course in Practicum III. Offered: Summer.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111 and RESP 1131 and RESP 1134 and RESP 1133
Corequisites: RESP 1136
Lecture hours: 2
RESP 1138 - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (3 Credits)
This course will prepare the student to take and pass the American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Saving Course (ACLS.) Students will take the official AHA ACLE course at the end of this course. Students must pass the ACLS course to pass this course. Offered: Spring Semester.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111 and RESP 1131 and RESP 1134 and RESP 1133
Corequisites: RESP 1135
Lecture hours: 2
Lab hours: 3
RESP 2201 - Clinical Practicum I (1 Credit)
This course will provide the student with comprehensive evidence-based respiratory care protocols to be used in providing the highest level of care to adults in settings across the continuum. An emphasis will be placed on departmental protocols, practice guidelines, patient identification, and communication skills. An overview of legal and ethical issues impacting healthcare, and particularly respiratory care, in today’s health care environment. Offered: Fall.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111
Lab hours: 3
RESP 2202 - Clinical Practicum II (1 Credit)
This course includes the processes, techniques, and skills of health assessment, building on basic and experiential knowledge of assessment. It is intended to provide the basis for individual student development of expertise in assessing health and illness states. Focus is on didactic and clinical content that the practicing respiratory therapist utilizes when assessing clients. The processes of systematic assessment, which include communication, planning, and cultural variations are emphasized. Clinical judgment, diagnostic & monitoring skills, and teaching are integrated as components of assessment. Offered: Spring.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111 and RESP 1131 and RESP 1132 and RESP 1133 and RESP 1134
Lab hours: 8
RESP 2203 - Clinical Practicum III (1 Credit)
This course provides a clinical application for the student to master the modalities used by the practicing respiratory therapist. These skills include: oxygen therapy, humidity therapy, bland continuous aerosol therapy, medicated nebulizer therapy, passive hyperinflation, chest physiotherapy and postural drainage, arterial blood gas draws and analysis, equipment cleaning and environmental therapy. Equipment therapy will be reinforced. Offered: Summer.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111 and RESP 1131 and RESP 1132 and RESP 1133 and RESP 1134 and RESP 1135 and RESP 1138
Lab hours: 8
RESP 2210 - Clinical Practicum IV (4 Credits)
This course provides a continuation of RESP 2203. Emphasis will be placed on departmental protocols and clinical practice guidelines. Students are introduced to the care of adult critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Mastery of active hyperinflation therapies, chest physiotherapy, arterial blood punctures analysis, and continued concepts of airway management. The ethical practice of respiratory care and the application of patient driven protocols will be emphasized. Offered: Fall, A-Term.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111 and RESP 1131 and RESP 1132 and RESP 1133 and RESP 1134 and RESP 1135 and RESP 1136 and RESP 1137
Lab hours: 30
RESP 2220 - Clinical Practicum V (4 Credits)
Practicum to support content presented in RESP 1136 and RESP 1137. Practical experiences will occur in proportion to emphasis placed on the cognitive content in the companion course. This course may also provide an opportunity for accelerated or advanced students to explore additional clinical experiences outside the usual program scope. Emphasis will be placed on the neonatal/pediatric intensive care patient. Students will be required to attend and pass the NRP course. Offered: Fall, B-Term.
Prerequisites: RESP 1100 and RESP 1111 and RESP 1131 and RESP 1132 and RESP 1133 and RESP 1134 and RESP 1135 and RESP 1136 and RESP 1137 and RESP 1138
Corequisites: RESP 2210, RESP 2330
Lab hours: 30
RESP 2330 - Credential Preparation (1 Credit)
The course will focus on a review of essential concepts of Respiratory Care with emphasis on content examined by the NBRC entry level and advanced level examinations. Critical thinking skills will be reinforced through presentation and discussion of case studies. Surveys of clinical research literature and journal articles will be examined. Each student must take and successfully pass the NBRC Self Assessment Exam as a requirement for passing the course and for graduation from the program. Offered: Fall, Sophomore Year.
Prerequisites: RESP 2201
Corequisites: RESP 2210
Lecture hours: 1
Other hours: 1