Respiratory Care Course Descriptions

An introduction to the science of respiratory care. Current trends in professional practice will be discussed and students have the opportunity to observe clinical practice at a variety of affiliated health care facilities.  This course is specifically designed for lower division four year respiratory care majors.  Open to west campus students.

Presents a detailed study of the physiology of human respiration and circulation.  Topics include functional cardiopulmonary anatomy, embryology, ventilation, diffusion, blood flow, gas transport, acid-base states, mechanics and regulation of ventilation and basic cardiac function. Lecture.

Prerequisite: HBA 461

Provides concept of data base, historical information, medical terminology, chief complaint and present illness, and chest physical examination. Applies problem based learning to the study of clinical assessment skills.  Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisite: HBA 461

Provides the basic technical and interpretive skills required to execute and read an electrocardiogram. Covers basic electrophysiology and presents the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias, as well as common cardiovascular pathologies, including congenital heart disease. The laboratory component includes EKG's, Holter monitoring and stress testing.  Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisite: HBA 461

A comprehensive study of the etiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis of various types of pulmonary pathologies. Lecture.

Prerequisite: HAT 304

Covers the beginning skills and therapies required to practice respiratory care.  Major topics include: gas physics; medical gas storage, delivery, and therapy; bedside monitoring; humidity and bland aerosol administration; infection control; lung expansion therapy; and bronchial hygiene. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisite: HBA 461

Course is second in a four part sequence.  Continues the review of basic therapeutic modalities of respiratory care. Major topics include: drug aerosol therapy, airway pharmacology, airway management, and blood gases.  Emphasizes the clinical use of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, alternative site care, and disease and disaster management. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisite: HAT 331

Provides the basic technical skills of pulmonary function testing, including an introduction to the instrumentation and physical principles of clinical measurement; procedures for measuring the lung functions of ventilation, mechanics, diffusion, gas distribution and exchange; and interpretation of tests results and their relation to various pathophysiologies.  Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisite: HAT 304

Provides clinical practice in cardiovascular technology, including both invasive and noninvasive techniques.  Students will be introduced to clinical EKG's, Holter scanning, stress testing, and general noninvasive cardiography.

Prerequisite: HAT 320

An introduction to the clinical application of basic respiratory procedures such as oxygen administration, aerosol therapy, IPPB, arterial punctures and other monitoring and diagnostic procedures. 

Prerequisites: HAT 331, HAT 332

Clinical application of spirometry, diffusion studies, blood gas analysis, flow volume loops, body plethysmography, helium dilution, nitrogen wash-outs, and bronchodilator responses.

Prerequisite: HAT 333

Prepares the respiratory care student to be a participating member on the Advanced Cardiac Life Support team. The content of this course is modeled after the ACLS course offered by the American Heart Association.
Prerequisites: HAT 320, HAT 332, HAT 420

Provides students with knowledge and skills to perform neonatal resuscitation utilizing simulated situations for practice. Demonstrates the use of resuscitation equipment on manikins.
Co-requisite: HAT 432

Introduces clinical teaching to senior students. Modalities include the decision making process, teaching strategies, classroom management, instructional design, and formative and summative evaluation.

Prerequisites: HAT 420, HAT 431, HAT 432

An extension of HAT 410. Develops skills for senior students to conduct clinical teaching strategies under faculty supervision.
Prerequisite: HAT 410

Introduces advanced concepts, equipment, and procedures used in adult, pediatric and neonatal critical care. Provides students with decision making skills for the initiation and management of advanced ventilator technology. Explores functions, clinical applications, and troubleshooting of selected advanced instrumentation. Reviews equipment limitations, quality assurance, equipment maintenance, and cost/benefit analysis where applicable.

Prerequisites: HAT 320, HAT 332, HAT 420, HAT 431, HAT 432

Examines the theory and practical applications of invasive physiologic monitoring, including metabolic and hemodynamic monitoring, Swan-Ganz catheterization, cardiac output measurement, and aseptic technique. Also contains an in depth study of the etiology, pathology, and treatment of advanced cardiac disease, including congenital heart disease. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite: HAT 320

Introduces the concepts of advanced airway management and mechanical ventilation used in the respiratory support of the critically ill patient. Emphasizes the physiological basis for ventilator use, indications for ventilation, parameters monitored during ventilation, and ventilator design, function, and clinical application. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite: HAT 332

Examines anatomy, physiology, and pathology relating to management of the neonatal/pediatric patient. Includes analysis of neonatal and pediatric ventilator function in terms of mechanics and suitability in clinical application. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite: HAT 332

Develops clinical skills in the management of the critical care patient. Includes specialized learning experiences in therapeutic modalities, mechanical ventilation and cardiovascular monitoring, and home care ventilation.
Prerequisites: HAT 350, HAT 431

An extension of HAT 432. Presents in-depth diagnostic and therapeutic concepts utilized in pediatric and neonatal intensive care as well as other areas related to the holistic care of the newborn. Emphasizes specific technical procedures that differ from the adult patient.
Prerequisite: HAT 432

Designed to provide entry-level personnel with both didactic and laboratory training in polysomnographic technology. Presents medical terminology, instrumentation setup and calibration, recording and monitoring techniques, documentation, professional issues, and patient-technologist interactions. Lab sessions will provide practical experience in the skills required of an entry-level polysomnographic technologist. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite: HAT 331

Provides training in more advanced aspects of polysomnographic technology. Students become familiar with the skills and knowledge needed to obtain and evaluate high quality sleep recordings. Covers all the aspects of sleep scoring and event recognition, recording and monitoring techniques, documentation, professional issues, therapeutic interventions, and patient-technologist interactions related to polysomnographic technology. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisite: HAT 470

Provides clinical training in the basics of polysomnographic technology. Familiarizes students with instrumentation setup and calibration, recording and monitoring techniques, documentation, professional issues, and patient-technologist interactions related to polysomnographic technology. Provides patient contact in a sleep lab. Presents opportunity to observe, perform (under supervision) and evaluate sleep studies.

Prerequisite: HAT 470

Provides clinical training in advanced aspects of polysomnographic technology. Familiarizes students with practical aspects of therapeutic interventions, sleep scoring, equipment troubleshooting, and artifact recognition.
Prerequisites: HAT 470, HAT 471, HAT 475

Provides a clinical experience in the hemodynamic and metabolic monitoring of patients in critical care units/ labs. Covers invasive diagnostic cardiovascular procedures, including cardiac catheterization, intra-arterial pressure monitoring, and indwelling arterial catheter insertion and monitoring.
Prerequisites: HAT 420, HAT 431

An clinical experience concentrating on program planning and evaluation of patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disorders. Includes discharge planning, rehabilitative services, stress testing, graded exercise, and other supportive techniques.
Prerequisites: HAT 320, HAT 332

Proposals for independent study in respiratory care must be submitted through the program director to the Committee on Research and Directed Study for approval prior to registration for this course.

A journal club offering that is designed to assist the student in the development of a professional knowledge base.  Each student is expected to review and critically analyze current research publications in the field of respiratory care and report those findings to the faculty and their peers in an informal discussion setting.

A practical discussion and seminar course that prepares the student to take the national certification and registry examinations. Each student will take self-assessment exams that analyze their technical and clinical skills in the areas of data collection and interpretation, as well as decision making skills.

Prerequisites: HAT 420, HAT 431, HAT 432