RCP 250 - Cardio/Pulmonary Therapeutics

1. Analyze the physiologic functions involved in breathing
   1. Discuss mechanics of spontaneous breathing such as tidal volume, minute ventilation, and vital capacity
   2. Identify normal values for tidal volume, minute ventilation, maximal inspiratory pressure, and vital capacity
2. Analyze lung expansion therapy
   1. Explain the indications for lung expansion therapy
   2. Describe and compare lung expansion methods
   3. Operate and troubleshoot lung expansion therapy devices
3. Evaluate airway clearance therapy
   1. State the clinical indications for airway clearance therapy
   2. Demonstrate proper technique for assisted cough, for example huff cough, directed cough, and abdominal thrusts
   3. Describe the proper techniques for chest physiotherapy, including postural drainage and percussion, intrapulmonary percussive ventilation, vibratory PEP therapy, mechanical insufflation-exsufflation, and high frequency oscillation devices
   4. Troubleshoot secretion clearance devices
   5. Perform vibratory PEP and chest physiotherapy competencies
4. Critique suctioning
   1. List indications for suctioning
   2. Identify hazards of suctioning
   3. List equipment required for nasotracheal, endotracheal, and tracheostomy suctioning
   4. State appropriate suction pressure ranges
   5. Demonstrate nasotracheal, endotracheal and tracheostomy suctioning
   6. Explain how individuals should be monitored during suctioning
   7. Evaluate the effectiveness of suctioning
   8. Troubleshoot suctioning equipment
   9. Perform suction competency
5. Critique artificial airways such as nasopharyngeal airways, oropharyngeal airways, esophagealtracheal tubes/supraglottic airways, endotracheal tubes and devices that assist with intubation such as endotracheal tube exchangers, tracheostomy tubes, laryngectomy tubes, and accessories such as speaking valves
   1. Assess the need for and select an artificial airway
   2. Identify the complications and hazards associated with artificial airways
   3. Discuss cuff management in tracheal and laryngeal airways
   4. Describe techniques used to maintain artificial airways
   5. Demonstrate tracheostomy care
6. Justify humidity therapy
   1. List the indications for humidity therapy
   2. State how to select a humidification device
   3. Explain how to use humidification systems
   4. Initiate and modify humidification interventions
   5. Assemble and troubleshoot humidification equipment
7. Administer aerosol therapy
   1. Describe how particle size, motion, and airway characteristics affect aerosol deposition
   2. List the hazards associated with aerosol therapy
   3. Demonstrate and troubleshoot the delivery of aerosol therapy
   4. Describe how to assess patient response to bronchodilator therapy 
   5. List common aerosol therapy medications
   6. Perform aerosol therapy competency