Hartnell College Course Descriptions RCP 110: Foundations for Success Prerequisite: Admission to RCP Program Lecture: 0.75 hrs Lab: 2.3 hrs Introduction to professional behaviors, attitudes, and values that lead to academic and professional success in respiratory care. Historical trends that influenced the role of the respiratory care practitioner (RCP) as a knowledge-worker and current educational preparation will be explored. Test taking strategies, study skills, individual learning styles, communication, and stress reduction are explored. The learning environment is created to foster collaboration and curiosity. RCP 50: Respiratory Care Practitioner Responsibilities Lecture: 1.5 hrs Introduces the language of healthcare as professional communication skills are developed. The history of respiratory care as a discipline, the professional organizations that support the discipline and ethical considerations are reviewed. Evidence-based medicine, critical thinking, health care reimbursement, infection control, and patient education are emphasized. RCP 51: Pharmacology and Medication Administration Lecture: 3hrs Focuses on pharmacological principles related to respiratory care. Medications pertinent to cardiopulmonary function including therapeutic gases and inhaled medications are reviewed. Drug routes, adverse reactions, and responsibilities of administration are discussed. Specific delivery devices using oxygen and aerosol therapy are emphasized. Critical thinking strategies are introduced as patient outcomes are evaluated. RCP 52: Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology Expands on specific concepts or normal cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology. Focused cardiopulmonary physical assessment and health history will be introduced. Cardiopulmonary anatomy and the processes of ventilation and circulation are emphasized. Electrocardiogram tracings and other diagnostic tests are introduced and analyzed.
RCP 53: Foundational Skills Corequisite: RCP 50, 51 Lab: 3 hrs Basic cardiopulmonary patient assessment and respiratory care procedures are introduced and practiced in the skills laboratory. Hand washing, universal precautions, oxygen, humidity and aerosol therapy, and basic bronchodilator medication delivery methods are practiced. Cardiac and respiratory sounds are identified as cardiac arrhythmias are visualized. Assessment of general appearance and level of consciousness are practiced. Trouble shooting of equipment and maintenance of patient safety are emphasized. RCP 54: Supervised Practice: Foundations Application of the respiratory care process for the study of fundamental respiratory care skills required for bedside care. Emphasis is on infection control, basic physical assessment and cardiopulmonary assessment that is necessary to provide care for the hospitalized patient. The value of competence in infection control and cardiopulmonary assessment skills are emphasized. RCP 60: Diagnostic Studies and Respiratory Care Prerequisite: RCP 50 Lecture: 3hrs Cardiopulmonary assessment, cardiac monitoring and critical thinking skills are used to guide respiratory care. Diagnostic studies are analyzed as they relate to respiratory care. Invasive and non-invasive cardiopulmonary monitoring, nutritional assessment, polysomnography, pulmonary rehabilitation, and home care evaluation are presented. RCP 61: Respiratory Therapeutics Prerequisite: RCP 51 Cardiovascular pharmacology utilizing inhaled medications and basic ventilation strategies are introduced. Arterial blood gas sampling and analysis are reviewed and emergency intubation and stabilization in various settings is described. Maximal lung expansion, sputum mobilization, and airway patency are emphasized, with the focus on patient safety. RCP 62: Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology Prerequisite: RCP 52 Various cardiopulmonary disorders including; infection, cancer, obstructive conditions, restrictive conditions, and pulmonary vascular disease. Patient care plans for specific disease processes are discussed for use in multiple health care settings.
RCP 63: Beginning Clinical Experience Prerequisite: RCP 53 Corequisite: RCP 60, 61, 62, 64 Beginning respiratory care procedures and therapeutics are introduced in lab and clinical settings. Oxygen delivery devices, aerosol therapy, sputum mobilization techniques, suctioning and airway inflation strategies are practiced. Utilizing professional communication and critical thinking skills, the student will assess the patient s clinical manifestation, pertinent history, laboratory and diagnostic data to plan patient care. RCP 64: Supervised Practice: Beginning Prerequisite: RCP 54 Application of the respiratory care process for the study of beginning respiratory care skills required for bedside care. Emphasis is on cardiopulmonary assessment, interpretation of lab data, obtaining an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample, oxygen delivery, and medication administration that is necessary to provide care for the hospitalized patient. The value of competence in cardiopulmonary assessment, ABG, oxygen delivery, intubation, and medication administration are emphasized. RCP 70: Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care Prerequisite: RCP 60 Assessment and care of neonatal and pediatric patients are introduced. Fetal development, maternal high risk conditions, and neonatal resuscitation are reviewed. Specific neonatal and pediatric cardiopulmonary disorders are identified. Invasive and non-invasive cardiopulmonary monitoring and diagnostic testing are discussed. RCP 71: Basic Mechanical Ventilation Prerequisite: RCP 61 Mechanical Ventilation is introduced as patient safety is emphasized. Indications for intubation and mechanical ventilation are discussed. Classifications of mechanical ventilators, modes of operation, and internal and external components of ventilators are introduced. Effects of positive pressure ventilation on body systems are reviewed. Patient management, mechanical ventilation and cardiopulmonary monitoring, mode selection with rationale, and trouble-shooting of mechanical ventilation are reviewed.
RCP 72: Neurologic and Traumatic Conditions Prerequisite: RCP 62 Neurologic effects on respiratory function are explored. The pathophysiology of motor and sensory injury to the cardiopulmonary system is reviewed. Patient assessment, respiratory interventions, pain management, and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) are discussed. Emergency, acute and long-term cause and effects of pulmonary injury are evaluated. The role of the RCP in supporting oxygenation and ventilation in situations of neurological and traumatic injury is emphasized. RCP 73: Intermediate Clinical Experience Prerequisite: RCP 63 Corequisite: RCP 70, 71, 72, 74 Intermediate RCP skills including intubation and mechanical ventilation are practiced in lab and clinical settings. Building on previously learned skills, clinical experience include neonatal, pediatric, and critical care areas. RCP 74: Supervised Practice: Intermediate Prerequisite: RCP 64 Application of the respiratory care process for the study of intermediate respiratory care skills required for bedside care. Emphasis is on pediatric and neonatal cardiopulmonary assessment, setting up a ventilator, and ventilator monitoring that is necessary to provide care for the hospitalized patient. The value of competence in applying skills across the lifespan, and ventilator set up and monitoring is emphasized. RCP 80: Advanced Life Support Prerequisite: RCP 70 Lecture: 1 hrs Neonatal resuscitation, pediatric advanced life support, and advanced cardiac life support will be explained and demonstrated. Upon completion of each specialty class, the student will apply knowledge and skills to written and practical demonstration tests created by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Successful completion of both criteria will result in certification in each specific category. RCP 81: Advanced Mechanical Ventilation Prerequisite: RCP 71 Advanced critical care strategies including interpretation of airway flow and waveform graphics are reviewed. Laboratory data, radiographic results, acid-base balance, and kidney function are analyzed related to ventilation status. Indications and hazards of intubation, chest drains, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and in-hospital transport from infancy through adulthood are discussed.
Advanced ventilator applications and weaning strategies are discussed, and cardiopulmonary pharmacology is reinforced. Patient and family education and support is promoted. RCP 82: Clinical Reasoning Seminar Prerequisite: RCP 72 Critical thinking strategies are utilized as students actively participate in case study discussions. Emphasis is on developing and evaluating plans of care for patients with a variety of respiratory conditions encountered in multiple health care settings. RCP 83: Advanced Clinical Experience Prerequisite: RCP 73 Corequisite: RCP 80, 81, 82, 84 Advanced RCP skills including wave form analysis and ventilator adjustments are practiced in the lab and clinical setting. Integration and mastery of skills learning in previous semesters is expected, ensuring competence. Communication, leadership, and management skills are demonstrated in a variety of clinical settings. RCP 84: Supervised Practice: Advanced Prerequisite: RCP 74 Fourth-semester respiratory care students reinforce content presented within the scope of the respiratory care program. The course is individualized for each student based on his/her identified learning needs. This course provides the student the opportunity to discuss theoretical concepts and practice clinical skills to increase student success within the respiratory care program. Support Courses RCP 225: Success Strategies for First Semester RCP Students Other: Admission to the RCP program or permission of the Director of RCP program following withdrawal from or failure in any RCP 50 series course (RCP 50, 51, 52, 53, 54). Designed for first semester respiratory care practitioner students interested in reinforcing content presented in RCP 50 series courses. The course is individualized for each student based on identified learning needs. The value of competency based education in respiratory care practice is emphasized. RCP 225: Success Strategies for Second Semester RCP Students Other: Admission to the RCP program or permission of the Director of RCP program following withdrawal from or failure in any RCP 60 series course (RCP 60, 61, 62, 63, 64). Designed for second semester respiratory care practitioner students interested in reinforcing content presented in RCP 60 series courses. The course is individualized for each student based on identified learning needs. The value of competency based education in respiratory care practice is emphasized.