Respiratory Care Technology (RC)

RT 100 Introduction to Respiratory Care
1 Credit. 1 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on fundamental concepts in the field of Respiratory Care. Topics include: history of respiratory care, time management, communication, team building, diversity, patient rights and confidentiality, professional ethics, and death and dying.
Prerequisites: Respiratory Care Program Chair consent

RT 101 Respiratory Care Science 1
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on fundamentals of pulmonary patient care. Topics include: patient assessment, moving, and positioning; oxygen therapy; humidity and aerosol therapies; hospital safety; infection control; respiratory pharmacology; and medical ethics.
Prerequisites: Respiratory Care Technology Program Chair consent

RT 102 Respiratory Care Science 2
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A continuation of RT 101. Topics include: artificial airways, airway suctioning, cleaning and sterilizing equipment, expansion therapy, bronchial hygiene therapies, pulmonary imaging, intubation, non-invasive ventilation, newborn development, and newborn congenital diseases and conditions.
Prerequisites: RT 100 and RT 101 and RT 172 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 103 Mechanical Ventilation
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on infant and adult mechanical ventilation. Topics include: indications, assessment, application, monitoring, weaning, and modes of mechanical ventilation.
Prerequisites: RT 102 and RT 111 and RT 173 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 111 Respiratory Care Clinical Practice 1
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 8 Lab Hours.

Students practice using respiratory care skills for basic floor therapy in the hospital environment. Topics include: medications administration, oxygen therapy, bronchial hygiene, expansion therapy, and humidification.
Prerequisites: RT 100 and RT 101 and RT 172 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 112 Respiratory Care Clinical Practice 2
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 16 Lab Hours.

A continuation of RT 111. Students practice respiratory care skills and responsibilities in a hospital setting. Topics include: critical care and mechanical ventilation, pulmonary functions, operating room observation, and hyperbaric oxygen.
Prerequisites: RT 102 and RT 111 and RT 173 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 172 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory and circulatory systems. Topics include: ventilation, diffusion, O2 and CO2 transport, acid/base balance, circulation, ventilation/perfusion (VQ) relationships, compliance, resistance, deadspace, and basic ECG interpretation
Prerequisites: Respiratory Care Program Chair consent

RT 173 Cardiopulmonary Disease
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 2 Lab Hours.

A course on cardiopulmonary diseases and the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of each disease. Topics include: pulmonary diseases and conditions, pulmonary function testing and interpretation, and use of testing in diagnosing pulmonary diseases.
Prerequisites: RT 100 and RT 101 and RT 172 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 201 Advanced Respiratory Critical Care
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on caring for the critically ill respiratory care patient. Topics include: critical care assessment, medications, hemodynamic monitoring, and critical diseases and conditions.
Prerequisites: RT 103 and RT 112 (minimum grade C for both)

RT 202 Specialties in Respiratory Care
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.

A course on specialized areas of respiratory care and emerging roles for the respiratory therapist. Topics include: bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, burn care, chest tubes, metabolic testing, exercise testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, capnography, and other specialty areas.
Prerequisites: RT 103 and RT 112 (minimum grade C for both)

RT 203 Respiratory Care Seminar
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.

Students review theory and practice in respiratory care to prepare for national certification examinations. Topics include: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), starting intravenous therapy (IVs), and transitioning from student to professional.
Prerequisites: RT 201 and RT 202 and RT 211 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 204 Respiratory Care Capstone
1 Credit. 0 Lecture Hour. 2 Lab Hours.

Students complete a research project in an approved specialty area in the field of respiratory care.
Prerequisites: RT 201 and RT 202 and RT 211 (minimum grade C for all)

RT 211 Respiratory Clinical Practice 3
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 16 Lab Hours.

A continuation of RT 112. Students practice skills and responsibilities for care of ventilator patients in the intensive care unit of a hospital. Topics include: mechanical ventilation, respiratory equipment, home care, neonatal and pediatrics care, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Prerequisites: RT 103 and RT 112 (minimum grade C for both)

RT 212 Respiratory Clinical Practice 4
2 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 16 Lab Hours.

A continuation of RT 211. Students complete an internship and practice respiratory care skills and responsibilities in multiple healthcare settings. Clinical rotations include: ECG and vascular testing, burn care, extended care facilities, and critical care.
Prerequisites: RT 201 and RT 202 and RT 211 (minimum grade C for all)