Orientation to basic principles of respiratory care to include medical terminology, history, professional organizations, and credentialing system. Fundamentals of patient care will be introduced in didactic, laboratory and clinical arenas. During the second half of the semester, students will be introduced to patient care each Friday for three hours at Prince George’s Hospital Center. A lab coat and stethoscope will be required.
Prerequisites: Admission to RST program and completion of BIO 2050 and 2060, PSC 115 or CHM 1010, and MAT 1120; RST 1570 concurrent. 2 class/3 lab hrs. Fall.
RST 1570. Principles of Cardiopulmonary Physiology.
In depth study of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary system. Emphasis will be placed upon understanding the relationship between structure and function, the mechanics of breathing, gas exchange and transport, acid-base balance, the chemical control of breathing, and the dynamics of the cardiovascular system.
Prerequisites: BIO 2050 and 2060, MAT 1120, and PSC 1150 or CHM 1010; RST 1530 concurrent. Fall.
RST 1600. Principles of Ventilatory Diseases.
Fundamental concepts of pulmonary pathophysiology and related cardiopulmonary disorders with application of diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. Computer-assisted instruction utilized throughout the course.
Prerequisistes: RST 1530 and 1507; RST 1630 concurrent. Spring.
RST 1630. Principles and Practice of Respiratory Therapy II.
Assessment, application, and troubleshooting of fundamental respiratory therapy equipment as it applies to patient care. Coordinated didactic, laboratory, and clinical components to enhance effective cognitive and psychomotor skills. Procedures and their rationale will be taught in lectured, practiced in a laboratory setting, then performed in real patient-care situations. Students will spend Wednesdays and Fridays, four hours each, in an acute care facility (Prince George’s Hospital Center and Southern Maryland Hospital). Hospital scrubs are required.
Prerequisites: RST 1530 and 1570; RST 1600 concurrent. 2 class/2 lab and 8 clinical hours. Spring.
RST 1730. Clinical Practice in Respiratory Therapy III.
Continued clinical practicum covering general respiratory care procedures. Students will spend four, seven-hour days (Monday through Thursday) each week at Prince George’s Hospital Center performing general respiratory care, interacting with patients, physicians, nurses, and other health care workers. Each student will also prepare a thorough patient case study which will be presented orally during the last week of the session.
Prerequisites: RST 1600 and 1630. 15 clinical hours a week for 10 weeks. Summer.
RST 1740. Ventilators and Introduction to Critical Care.
Concepts of mechanical ventilators and modes of ventilation with application to clinical practice. Includes initiation and weaning from mechanical support, care of the ventilator patient, and evaluation of cardiopulmonary status. Lecture material will be supported by intensive hands-on experience with mechanical ventilators in the laboratory setting. Testing will include both written and hands-on performance. Class will meet for minimum 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory each day, four days a week.
Prerequisites: RST 1730. 6 class and 6 lab for 10 weeks. Summer.
RST 2490. Neonatal Respiratory Care.
Designed to prepare students with theoretical understanding of fetal cardiopulmonary development, disease states specific to neonatal patients as well as implementation of physical assessment and adaptation of respiratory care modalities to meet the needs of this unique group of critically ill patients. Preparation for student entry into the neonatal critical care clinical rotation. Open to second-year respiratory therapy students, credentialed respiratory care practitioners, and nurses interested in neonatal intensive care.
Prerequisites: RST 1740; RST 2500 and 2530 concurrent. Fall.
RST 250. Pharmacology for Respiratory Therapy.
Concepts of pharmacology of analgesics, cardiovascular drugs. anesthetics, and all drugs utilized in the practice of respiratory therapy. Includes EKG interpretation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) preparation.
Prerequisites: RST 1704; RST 2490 and 2530 concurrent. Fall.
RST 2503. Clinical Practice in Critical Care I.
Specialized clinical rotations in adult critical care with application of mechanical ventilation, hemodynamics, and management of the patient in the critical care setting. Neonatal ICU rotations will begin this semester as well. Students will spend Tuesday and Thursday, seven hours each day, in a critical care rotation. Affiliates include Prince George’s Hospital Center, Johns-Hopkins Medical Center, National Children’s Medical Center. A major written project reviewing key conepts, equipment and procedures from entire course of studies is also required this semester.
Prerequisites: RST 1740; RST 2490 and 2500 concurrent. 15 clinical hours. Fall.
RST 2620. Trends in Respiratory Therapy.
Advanced principles of respiratory therapy with emphasis on critical care concepts. Computer-assisted instruction with clinical simulations enhance student learning and preparation for National Board for Respiratory Care credentialing examinations.
Prerequisites: RST 2500 and 2530; RST 2630 concurrent. Spring.
RST 2630. Clinical Practice in Critical Care II.
Specialized clinical rotations in adult and neonatal critical care. Additional practice will be provided through home care, and long term specialty nursing facilities. Clinic days will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Affiliates include those listed in RST 260 as well as Washington Adventist Hospital, Gladys Spellman Nursing Center, and Franklin Medical, Inc, (a home health provider). Students will also participate in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) credentialing, and will take simulated entry-level and advanced practitioner examinations through the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Prerequisites: RST 2500 and 2530; RST 2620 concurrent. Spring.