RCP 125 Essentials for Respiratory Care I -
This course provides students with an introduction to the respiratory care profession. The course will explore the historical perspectives of the profession; professional and regulatory agencies; legal matters; professionalism; credentialing and continuing education; research techniques; and evaluation of evidence-based care. Students will also learn about the physical principals associated with respiratory care and an introduction to pharmacology and patient disease states. A student-directed medical terminology course is also included. Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 111, ENG 101 Semester Offered: F

RCP 126 Respiratory Care Modalities I -
This course introduces theoretical concepts and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation strategies for select therapeutic modalities employed in Respiratory Care. Topics include patient evaluation and assessment; professional communication; infection control; medical record evaluation and documentation; non-invasive monitoring; medical gas regulation, delivery, and therapeutics; gas therapy and analysis; humidity and aerosol therapy; aerosolized medication therapy, pulmonary mechanics; and an introduction to lung expansion therapies. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of skills, problem-solving and critical thinking. The lab component provides application of relevant theory, assembling, disassembling, and troubleshooting equipment, and practicing client care skills in a clinical simulation environment to prepare the student for clinical rotations in the Medical/Surgical, Respiratory, General Floor, and ER. Credits: 5
Prerequisites: BIO 111, ENG 101 Semester Offered: F

RCP 127 Cardiopulmonary Physiology -
Students will pursue an in-depth study of cardiac and pulmonary anatomy and physiology as well as diagnostic procedures commonly used in the hospital to evaluate these systems. Topics include function of the respiratory system, ventilatory mechanics, gas transport in the blood, natural and chemical regulation of breathing, circulation, blood flow and pressure, and cardiac output and acid bases disturbances. The heart-lung relationship and clinical applications of the phenomena in the pulmonary system will be emphasized. Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 111, ENG 101 Semester Offered: F

RCP 135 Essentials for Respiratory Care II -
This course provides students with the etiology, manifestations, and treatment of respiratory failure including principles, techniques and equipment associated with advanced cardiopulmonary monitoring. The study includes, but is not limited to, ventilatory mechanics, gas transport, natural and chemical regulation of breathing, circulation, blood flow and pressure, cardiac output and the monitoring of each of these topics. Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 112, RCP 125, RCP 126, RCP 127 Semester Offered: S

RCP 136 Respiratory Care Modalities II -
This course introduces theoretical concepts and implementation, monitoring, and evaluation strategies for select therapeutic modalities employed in Respiratory Care. Topics include blood gas sampling, analysis, and interpretation; bronchopulmonary hygiene techniques, including positioning and manual techniques, mobilization, and exercise; breathing, coughing, and suctioning techniques; positive pressure therapies; lung expansion therapies; and non-invasive ventilation. The concept of mechanical ventilation is introduced and explored. Emphasis is placed on the practical application of skills, problem solving and critical thinking. The lab component provides application of relevant theory, assembling, disassembling, and troubleshooting equipment, and practicing client care skills in a clinical simulation environment to prepare them for clinical supervised rotations in the Medical/Surgical, Respiratory, General floor, ER, Homecare, and ICU environments. Credits: 7
Prerequisites: BIO 112, RCP 125, RCP 126, RCP 127 Semester Offered: S

RCP 137 Pharmacology -
This course introduces the physiologic and pharmacologic basis of pulmonary and cardiac medications. Students will learn the preparation as well as the calculation of dosages and mixtures. General principles of pharmacology for bronchoactive, mucus controlling drugs, surfactant and aerosolized anti-infective agents and the drugs related to the cardiopulmonary system such as neuromuscular blocking agents, central nervous system depressants, cardiovascular agents, diuretics and antimicrobial agents will be included. Credits: 2
Prerequisites: BIO 112, RCP 125, RCP 126, RCP 127 Semester Offered: S

RCP 246 Critical Care I -
The course provides a laboratory/clinical environment in which students will learn the theoretical foundations and practical skills necessary to provide Respiratory Care to an adult client in a critical care setting. Topics to be covered include: the initiation, maintenance and discontinuation of mechanical ventilatory support; airway care; and monitoring. Additional topics may be added as time permits. Part of the course will involve clinical time in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Credits: 2
Prerequisites: RCP 135, RCP 136, RCP 137 Semester Offered: SU

RCP 255 Advanced Patient Assessment -
This course is designed to familiarize students with the following areas of medical assessment: physical examination (both chest and general); laboratory (including arterial blood gases); electrolytes; chemistry; hematology; chest radiography; ultrasound, preoperative; neurological and cardiovascular assessment to help develop a respiratory care plan. Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 232, ENG 102, RCP 246 Semester Offered: F

RCP 256 Critical Care II -
This course builds on the structural framework of the material covered in RCP 246. It examines a variety of topics relevant to critical, adult Respiratory Care practice. Topics include a review of techniques/protocols used in the initiation, monitoring, titration, and liberation from conventional and high-frequency mechanical ventilation using physical and physiological clinical data. Calculations and formulas relevant to ventilator management and credentialing examinations will be introduced. The effects of positive pressure ventilation on cardiopulmonary and other organ systems will be covered. This course also emphasizes the correction of patient-ventilator asynchrony and the interpretation of ventilator waveforms. Additional topics include chest tubes and pleural drainage systems; and a variety of advanced and emerging oxygenation and ventilation strategies for the critical care patient. The American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (ACLS) is attained. Clinical rotations will be an advanced, supervised clinical experience in intensive medical, surgical, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care units. Students develop practical skills in all aspects of ventilatory management, monitoring, arterial blood gases, and all other therapeutic modalities provided in intensive care. The lab component provides the application of relevant theory and practice of client care skills in a clinical simulation environment to prepare them for supervised clinical rotations in the intensive care clinical environments. Credits: 8
Prerequisites: BIO 232, ENG 102, RCP 246 Semester Offered: F

RCP 257 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics -
This course covers pulmonary function testing, invasive and non-invasive diagnostic procedures, and techniques utilized to assess patients with pulmonary or cardiovascular diseases and sleep disorders. Topics include: therapeutic and diagnostic bronchoscopy procedures; spirometry; bronchoprovocation testing; diffusion studies; lung volumes, airway resistance, and gas distribution studies; ventilation and ventilatory control tests; blood gases and related tests; cardiopulmonary exercise testing including metabolic assessments; and sleep-disordered breathing. Quality control will also be discussed. The lab component provides the application of relevant theory and practice of client care skills in a clinical simulation environment. Credits: 3
Prerequisites: BIO 232, ENG 102, RCP 246 Semester Offered: F

RCP 265 Pulmonary Diseases and Conditions -
This course explores the etiology, clinical presentation, pathologic features, diagnostics, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the adult patient commonly encountered in Respiratory Care practice. The patient interview, physical examination, diagnostics and pathophysiologic basis for common clinical manifestations of respiratory-related diseases and conditions will be reviewed. A systematic approach to the evaluation and management of the diseases and conditions is presented in this course. Emphasis is placed on the development of evidence-based protocolized respiratory care and patient education. Credits: 3
Prerequisites: RCP 255, RCP 256, RCP 257 Semester Offered: S

RCP 266 Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care -
This course covers the normal and pathophysiological events that affect the cardiopulmonary status of the fetus, infant, and child. Students study fetal development, the nature and physiology of neonatal and pediatric pathology, and the application of this information in the clinical setting. Neonatal resuscitation and advanced pediatric life support certifications are attained. Clinical rotations will allow students to acquire practical skills in critical care, pulmonary rehabilitation, neonatal, pediatrics, and other specialty areas. Students correlate theoretical principles to practical applications. Credits: 8
Prerequisites: RCP 255, RCP 256, RCP 257 Semester Offered: S

RCP 267 Respiratory Care Seminar -
This course is intended to strengthen student skills and knowledge in the processes of Respiratory Care and to build proficiency, professionalism and community spirit. It is specifically designed to prepare the Respiratory Care student to take the N.B.R.C. credentialing examinations. Preparation for the clinical simulation component of the registry examination is provided through academic software. Students will complete a Senior Project meant to encourage student involvement in the Respiratory Care profession while promoting the importance of community service. Credits: 2
Prerequisites: RCP 255, RCP 256, RCP 257 Semester Offered: S

4/1/2024