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
Prerequisite: Admission to the RCP Program
Corequisite: RCP 53
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
Prerequisite: Admission to the RCP Program
Corequisite: RCP 53
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
Prerequisite: Admission to the RCP Program
Corequisite: RCP 53
Lecture: 2 hrs
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
Prerequisite: Admission to the RCP Program
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
Prerequisite: Admission to the RCP Program
Corequisite: RCP 53
Lab: 1.5 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 63
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
Corequisite: RCP 63
Lecture: 3 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 63
Lecture: 2 hrs
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
Lab: 12 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 63
Lab: 1.5 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 73
Lecture: 2 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 73
Lecture: 3 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 73
Lecture: 2 hrs
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
Lab: 12 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 73
Lab: 1.5 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 83
Lecture: 1 hrs
Lab: 1.5 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
Corequisite: RCP 83
Lecture: 3 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 83
Lecture: 2 hrs
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
Lab: 12 hrs
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
Corequisite: RCP 83
Lab: 1.5
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).
Lab: 1.5
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).
Lab: 1.5
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.