Revised 08/26

RTH 121 - Cardiopulmonary Science I (3 CR.)

Course Description

Focuses on pathophysiology, assessment, treatment, and evaluation of patients with cardiopulmonary disease. Explores cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular physiology and patho-physiology. Lecture 3 hours.

General Course Purpose

This course is offered in the second semester of the program and is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiopulmonary System. The purpose of this course is to complete instruction in cardiopulmonary physiology and to introduce some of the major pulmonary diseases.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites: RTH 102, RTH 111, RTH 145, and RTH 151.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

• Develop skills to perform advanced cardiopulmonary assessment
• Recommend diagnostic, therapeutic and pharmacological interventions based on the interpretation of patient assessment and arterial blood gases
• Analyze and explain the white and red blood cell profile and normal electrolyte values
• Demonstrate thorough understanding of the following diseases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema), Asthma, Bronchiectasis, Bacterial pneumonia, Acute respiratory failure
• Identify the following topics as they relate to the specific diseases studied:
  • Etiology
  • Physiological changes
  • Classification of disease severity
  • Application of national and international guidelines
  • Signs and symptoms
  • Clinical course
  • Diagnostic procedures
  • Management
  • Patient prognosis
  • Explain post-operative respiratory complications

Major Topics to Be Included

• Advanced cardiopulmonary physiology
• Interpretation of blood gases
• Clinical laboratory studies
• Selected cardiopulmonary diseases:
  • chronic bronchitis
  • emphysema
  • asthma
  • post-operative complications
  • bacterial pneumonia
  • acute respiratory failure