Course

10-515-113 Respiratory Life Support
Course Information
Description
Focuses on management of adult ventilatory support. Emphasis is placed on promotion of evidence-based practice using established clinical practice guidelines and published research for its relevance to patient care.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Assess the need for mechanical ventilation
    Assessment Strategies
    given various patient scenarios
    by answering questions in an oral or written format
    in a laboratory setting with mechanical ventilation equipment
    Criteria
    assessment includes results of non-invasive monitoring
    assessment includes recognition of impending ventilatory and/or oxygenation failure
    assessment includes results of cardiopulmonary assessment
    assessment includes recommendation for gathering further data as needed

  2. Explain general principles of mechanical ventilation
    Assessment Strategies
    by answering questions in an oral or written format
    in a laboratory setting with mechanical ventilation equipment
    Criteria
    classify ventilators
    compare ventilator modes
    discuss the patient-ventilator interface
    calculate simple pulmonary mechanics to determine ventilator settings

  3. Apply non-invasive mechanical ventilation
    Assessment Strategies
    given various patient scenarios
    by answering questions in an oral or written format
    in a laboratory setting with mechanical ventilation equipment
    Criteria
    identify candidates for non-invasive mechanical ventilation
    select appropriate mode and ventilator parameters
    select, assemble, use and troubleshoot equipment
    select, assemble, use, and troubleshoot the patient interface
    modify therapy based on patient response
    evaluate and monitor patient's objective and subjective responses to therapy

  4. Apply invasive mechanical ventilation
    Assessment Strategies
    given various patient scenarios
    by answering questions in an oral or written format
    in a laboratory setting with mechanical ventilation equipment
    Criteria
    identify candidates for invasive mechanical ventilation
    select appropriate mode and ventilator parameters
    select, assemble, use and troubleshoot equipment
    evaluate and monitor patient's objective and subjective responses to therapy

  5. Manage patients requiring mechanical ventilation
    Assessment Strategies
    by operating a variety of ventilators in the lab
    Criteria
    select appropriate ventilator settings for patient situation
    assemble and configure operation
    operate ventilator correctly according to patient response
    troubleshoot ventilator and circuit
    modify therapy based on patient response and patient/ventilator synchrony

  6. Interpret waveforms and graphics
    Assessment Strategies
    by interpreting waveforms and graphics
    Criteria
    interpretation includes selection of the appropriate graphics
    interpretation includes recognition of the mode being delivered
    interpretation includes triggering of the ventilator
    interpretation includes identification of waveform components
    interpretation includes association of waveforms with clinical abnormalities such as excessive work, insufficient time, auto PEEP, over-distension
    interpretation includes modification of ventilator based on waveform analysis

  7. Evaluate patient response to mechanical ventilation
    Assessment Strategies
    by evaluating patient responses
    Criteria
    calibrate the capnography equipment
    demonstrate proper use of the capnography equipment
    interpret arterial blood gases and make recommendations for ventilator adjustments including adjuncts such as high frequency ventilation and recruitment maneuvers
    interpret capnography and make recommendations for ventilator adjustments
    correlate capnography with arterial blood gases
    correlate pulse oximetry with arterial blood gases

  8. Apply weaning/liberation strategies to mechanically ventilated patients
    Assessment Strategies
    given various patient scenarios
    by answering questions in an oral or written format
    in a laboratory setting with mechanical ventilation equipment
    Criteria
    assess patient's readiness for weaning to include MIP, MEP, VC, RSBI and nutritional status
    select appropriate weaning strategy
    monitor the weaning process
    select, assemble, use and troubleshoot equipment used during the weaning process
    recommend modification and/or termination of the weaning process

  9. Analyze the legal and ethical implications of initiation, continuation, and end of life situations/scenarios
    Assessment Strategies
    by responding to case scenarios and situations involving legal and ethical situations
    Criteria
    identify clinical situations in which life support would be initiated, continued, and/or withdrawn
    explain the procedures to assess for termination of life support (i.e. apnea testing, neurologic assessment)
    describe legal implications involved in initiation, continuation, and withdrawal of life support
    describe ethical implications involved in initiation, continuation, and withdrawal of life support
    examine the process for surge planning and triage for mass casualties

  10. Implement mechanical ventilation strategies to various disease states according to evidenced based practice
    Assessment Strategies
    given various patient scenarios
    by answering questions in an oral or written format
    in a laboratory setting with mechanical ventilation equipment
    Criteria
    identify candidates for nonconventional ventilation strategies (i.e. ARDS, asthma, COPD)
    select appropriate mode and ventilator parameters
    modify therapy based on patient situation and response (i.e. VAI, VAE, lung protective strategies)
    evaluate and monitor patient's objective and subjective responses to therapy

  11. Apply strategies to prevent ventilator associated events
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    position the patient
    provide appropriate oral care
    monitor parameters for the ventilator bundle
    confirm compliance with the VAE prevention methods