RTH-170: Therapeutic Procedures II

School
Health and Human Services
Division
Health Careers
Department
Respiratory Therapy
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Respiratory Therapist
Course Number
170
Course Title
Therapeutic Procedures II
Credit Hours
4.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
77.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
77.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
RTH-100 and RTH-130 both with a C or better
Catalog Course Description

This course provides instruction in therapeutic procedures utilized by the respiratory therapist. Course content includes airway care, emergency life support, bronchial hygiene therapy, and lung expansion therapy. Students practice these procedures in a guided laboratory setting. Course includes 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab each week.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider
    • Demonstrate competency in all course skill requirements for BLS for Healthcare Providers in accordance with the American Heart Association.
  2. Pharyngeal and Artificial Airways
    • Describe the structure, function, clinical indications, hazards and care of patients with adjunct artificial airways.
  3. Suctioning
    • Describe the assessment process for establishing the need for suctioning.
    • Discuss the indications, complications, and hazards of the various suctioning techniques.
    • Demonstrate the procedures for performing each suctioning technique.
  4. Resuscitation
    • Describe the selection, function, use and care of resuscitation equipment including resuscitation bags.
  5. Bronchial Hygiene Therapy
    • Describe the assessment process for bronchial hygiene therapy.
    • Discuss the indications, complications, and hazards of each bronchial hygiene therapy technique.
    • Demonstrate the procedures for performing each bronchial hygiene therapy technique.
    • Describe the components of Bronchial Hygiene Protocols.
    • Utilize a Bronchial Hygiene Protocol to develop a correct treatment regimen for a variety of case studies.
  6. Airway Management
    • Discuss the indications for artificial airways.
  7. Intubation and Tracheotomy
    • Demonstrate the procedures for nasal and oral intubation.
    • Describe the procedure of tracheotomy.
  8. Endotracheal and Tracheostomy Tubes
    • Describe the physical aspects, indications, hazards and complications of endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes.
  9. Bronchoscopy and BAL
    • Describe the indications, complication and hazards of bronchoscopy procedures.
    • Discuss bronchoscopy techniques and BAL (Bronchoalveolar lavage).
  10. Lung Expansion Techniques
    • Discuss the indications, complications and hazards of each lung expansion technique.
    • Demonstrate the procedures for performing each lung expansion technique.
    • Describe the components of Lung Expansion Protocols.
    • Utilize Lung Expansion Protocol to develop a correct treatment regimen for a variety of case studies.
  11. Disease States of the Airway
    • Describe the anatomic alterations of the lungs caused by secretion producing disorders.
    • Explain the major pathophysiologic mechanisms activated throughout the respiratory system as a result of the anatomic alterations in secretion producing disorders.
    • Identify the common clinical manifestations that develop as a result of the anatomic alterations and pathophysiologic changes in secretion producing disorders.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Assessment of academic achievement will include performance evaluations, worksheets and homework assignments, course exams, lab practical exams, and a final exam.

Texts

To be determined by program faculty.

Outcomes

Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Satisfies Honors Requirements
No
Effective Term
Fall 2025