Course Information
Description
Examines the role of the Respiratory Therapist within the healthcare community. Reviews the ethical, legal, and regulatory principles that guide practice across diverse populations. Introductory patient assessment and critical thinking processes used in the development of respiratory care plans are explored. 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
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Differentiate professional agenciesAssessment Strategieswritten assessment or graphicby answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriaexamine the NBRC matrixsummarize key principles within HIPAAidentify the important agencies related to respiratory therapydescribe the purpose of the agenciesrelate their role in credentialing and certificationexamine AARC Code of Ethics and the State of Wisconsin License guidelines
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Perform pulse oximetryAssessment Strategiesin the laboratorywith a clientwithout the use of referencesby accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriaselect the correct oximeterperform all critical steps in the right orderproperly identify patient according National Safety Standards.employ pulse oximetrywear personal protective equipmentfollow safety proceduresverbalize an explanation of the process as you perform itexplanation presents sound reasoning as you describe the decisions you make throughout the processverbalize the limitations, side effects and complications of pulse oximetrydemonstrate an understanding of normal values and what can cause abnormal values
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Examine the role of a respiratory therapist in healthcareAssessment Strategiesoral, written, or graphic examinationby accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriaexamination includes the job descriptionexamination includes an evaluation of the Respiratory Therapist's scope of practiceexamination includes the duties and responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapistexamination includes the role of the RT within the healthcare teamexamination includes concentrations within RT
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Explore legal and ethical issues related to respiratory careAssessment Strategiesby responding to legal and ethical scenarios and dilemmas in health care (format may be oral or written)by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriaresponse clearly states the dilemma in the scenarioresponse includes a course of action to resolve the dilemmaresponse course of action reflects competent practice within the legal/ethical framework of health careresponse includes a defense of the course of action or give a rationale for the actionresponse is appropriate within the legal framework of respiratory therapy
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Adapt communication strategies to a diverse patient populationAssessment Strategiesthrough a role play between a respiratory therapist and a patient or by adapting strategies in a written assessmentby accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriadisplay verbal and nonverbal communication techniques appropriate to the populationconsider age, gender, cultural, etc. differencesdemonstrate the ability to change communication strategies in order to adapt to the situationadapt communication with patients and family members based on psychological issues including but not limited to grief and end of life care.
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Review the medical record utilizing medical record keeping and charting methods consistent with hospital policy and proceduresAssessment Strategiesgiven a patient chartgiven a patient scenarioin an oral, written, or graphic responseCriteriaselect pertinent data for Respiratory Care practiceidentify appropriate documentation in a simulated patientdocument consistent with hospital accreditation standardsidentify the components of a care plan
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Utilize infection control principlesAssessment Strategiesby demonstrating your skill in a lab or by evaluating scenariosby accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriaimplement standard precautionsdemonstrate proper isolation equipment application and removal without contamination.evaluate potential causes and methods of transmitting infection (e.g., contact, airborne, common vehicle, vector-borne)confine, contain or reduce the dangerprevent cross contaminationdemonstrate the importance of Infection control proceduresverbalize the financial and health impact of poor infection control to the health care facility
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Obtain a focused health historyAssessment Strategiesin the classroom through a simulation or role-playby accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriause effective verbal and non-verbal communication techniquesprovide privacycollect data using a designated formatmodify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespanmodify assessment techniques to reflect ethnic, cultural and educational level variationsdocument actions and observations
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Evaluate patient dataAssessment Strategiesgiven patient assessment databy accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriamake a recommendation for further testingidentify normal values and causes for abnormal valuesutilize appropriate terminology in identifying patient data
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Perform a basic cardiovascular assessmentAssessment Strategiesin the laboratory through a simulation or role-playby accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriamaintain privacyassess apical and peripheral pulses for rate, rhythm, and amplitudeassess skin perfusion (color, temperature, and sensation)modify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespandocument actions and observationsrecognize and report significant deviations from normsexplain causes for deviations from the norm
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Perform a respiratory assessmentAssessment Strategiesin the classroom through a simulation or role-playby accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriaprovide privacyassess chest and respiratory status using designated formatdifferentiate between normal and abnormal lung soundsmodify assessment techniques to reflect variations across the lifespandocument actions and observationsrecognize and report deviations from normsexplain reasons for deviations from the norm
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Obtain vital signsAssessment Strategiesin a performance demonstration in the labby accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency in one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout this courseCriteriaperform blood pressure, pulse, respirations and temperaturerecord vital signs accuratelystate the normal range of blood pressure, pulse, respirations and temperature for the adultnote variants in range across the lifespanidentify possible implications of abnormal vital signs and causes of abnormal vital signs
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Interact with team members, patients, and familiesAssessment StrategiesOral, Written and/or Skill AssessmentCriteriaselect appropriate patient centered, trauma informed, and culturally aware communication strategiesaccept feedback in a professional mannershare feedback with the teamadapt communication strategies for the situationcommunicate concerns leading to the escalation of care
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Develop a care planAssessment StrategiesCare PlanCriteriacare plan includes subjective datacare plan considers social determinants of health and health inequity barriers to healthcarecare plan includes objective datacare plan includes an assessment of the datacare plan includes a therapeutic intervention related to the datacare plan includes an outcomes assessmentcare plan includes modification