Respiratory Care Lab (RETL)

This course is a clinical application of respiratory care procedures including humidity, aerosol and hyperinflation therapies, and medical gas. Ventilatory support and other adjunctive procedures are also included. Ethics in respiratory care are discussed.

This course is a continuation of Clinical Respiratory Care 1. New areas of emphasis include blood gas analyzers, introduction to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, and diagnostic and monitoring instrumentation, and techniques.

This course is a continuation of RETL 1833 with emphasis in neonate and pediatric areas. Clinical rotations through specialty areas including home care agencies, cardiac catheterization lab, operating room, emergency room, and post-anesthesia recovery areas. Mini case studies are presented in post conference daily and weekly on assigned patients.

The students continue their critical care rotations, exposure to special care areas adding skilled nursing facilities, long term care, pulmonary rehabilitation, pulmonary function testing laboratories and neonatal/pediatric areas. Students also complete case studies for oral presentation. As a final project, students will write a term-quality research paper on a pre-approved topic relevant to the practice of respiratory care.

This capstone course presents clinical simulations and future implications of respiratory care therapies. This seminar course also provides a review of all materials learned throughout the 5-semester program. Self-assessment advanced practitioner examinations are administered as a conclusion to this course. Employment and licensure requirements are also covered.