Simi Institute for Careers & Education | Evaluated Learning Experience
Assessment of Respiratory Disorders RC 204
100 hours (10 weeks).
January 2015 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: perform patient interviews; explain the principles of and purpose of patient interviewing, history taking, and physical examinations; summarize the mechanics responsible for normal and abnormal lung sounds; interpret normal and abnormal ECG recordings; interpret blood count, blood chemistry, and electrolyte readings; detail the gram stain and culture process; describe sampling, analyzing, and monitoring of blood gases; explain oximetry, capnometry, and capnography; outline how to perform spirometry; defend how to use pulmonary function data to evaluate respiratory care; demonstrate how to review a pulmonary function report to identify patterns of pulmonary disease; and give examples of how chest imaging is used in the diagnosis of lung disease; interpret chest imaging studies.
The course provides students with knowledge of assessment of respiratory patients. Proper assessment allows students to correctly interpret patients' condition and recommend appropriate treatment methods. Major topics include: basic physiologic mechanisms that regulate breathing, the basic components of taking medical histories and completing physical examinations, the common blood tests conducted on patients in the hospital, why and how ECGs are done and interpreted, analyzing and monitoring gas exchange – between the lungs and blood and between blood and tissues, the basics of capacities, and the ability of the lungs to diffuse gases, the basic elements of a chest x-ray (chest radiograph), advanced imaging, CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound, nutritional assessment and how to estimate and meet overall energy needs. Methods of instruction include: lecture, discussion, classroom exercises, laboratory exercises, audio/visual material, and computer interaction.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 4 semester hours in Respiratory Care (4/17) (4/22 revalidation).
