Southern State Community College
Curriculum Committee – September 2012
RESP 1107 – Pharmacology for the Respiratory Therapist
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I.
II.
COURSE TITLE:
Pharmacology for the Respiratory Therapist
COURSE NUMBER:
1107
PREREQUISITE(S):
RESP 1101 and RESP 1102
COREQUISITE(S):
III.
IV.
COURSE PREFIX:
RESP
RESP 1110, RESP 1115, RESP 1117, and ENGL 1101
CREDIT HOURS: 1
LABORATORY HOURS:
0
LECTURE HOURS: 1
OBSERVATION HOURS:
0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will provide a strong foundation of the drugs presently pertaining to
the field of respiratory care. General principles of pharmacology as those applied
to aerosol drug therapy, IV, and instilled drugs will be taught along with
calculations of drug doses. Non-aerosol drugs such as antibiotic therapy, diuretics
and cardiovascular drugs will also be covered.
V.
ADOPTED TEXT(S):
Gardenhire. Rau’s Respiratory Care Pharmacology. 8th edition. Mosby
Publishing. ISBN: 9780323075282
VI.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
VII.
Understand pharmacology from a respiratory therapist standpoint
Identify principles of drug actions
Calculate drug doses
Describe how drugs act on the body
Understand routes of drug administration and modes of action
Discuss clinical indications for use of each drug
Discuss the importance and variety of vaccinations
COURSE METHODOLOGY:
Students will be required to participate in traditional lectures, group discussion,
assignments, interactive proceedings, critical thinking exercises, role-playing in
the human patient simulation lab, written examinations, and clinical practice. The
instructor will demonstrate skills and students will be expected to return the
demonstration. Competency evaluations will be utilized in the lab and clinical
settings.
RESP 1107 – Pharmacology for the Respiratory Therapist
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VIII. GRADING
A = 93-100
B = 85-92
C = 77-84
F = 0-76
A final grade of at least 77% is required to pass this course.
Please note that students must achieve at least a satisfactory in each lab and
clinical evaluation to pass this course. If student fails to achieve a satisfactory in
lab or clinical practice, regardless of lecture grade, student will receive a grade of
F for the course.
IX.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Principles of drug action
Administration of Aerosolized Agents
Calculating Drug Doses
The effects of drugs on the central and peripheral nervous system
Adrenergic bronchodilators
Anticholinergic bronchodilators
Using Mucoactive therapy with physiotherapy and airway clearance devices
Clinical indications for surfactants
Corticosteroids in respiratory care
Critical care cardiovascular drugs
Diuretic agents
Vaccinations
Sample Course Schedule
Week 1- Principles of drug actions
Week 2- Administration of aerosolized medications
Week 3- Calculating the correct drug dosages
Week 4- How drugs affect the central and peripheral nervous system
Week 5- Adrenergic bronchodilators and their actions
Week 6- Anticholinergic bronchodilators and how they work
Week 7- Mucolytics and how they work along with airway clearance devices
Week 8- Indications for surfactant and how to administer
Week 9- Corticosteroids in respiratory and administration
Week 10- Critical care cardiovascular drugs
Week 11- Continue cardiovascular drugs
Week 12- Sedatives
Week 13- Vaccines
Week 14- Forms of drug administration
RESP 1107 – Pharmacology for the Respiratory Therapist
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Week 15- Diuretics and how they work on the body
Finals Week- Comprehensive Final Exam
X.
OTHER REQUIRED TEXTS, SOFTWARE, AND MATERIALS:
Calculator
XI.
EVALUATION:
Knowledge is evaluated through performance evaluation of student’s ability to
meet objectives related to the lecture component of course; other specific grading/
evaluation requirements as per instructor will be given to students the first day of
class.
XII.
SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
At the discretion of the instructor
XIII. OTHER INFORMATION:
FERPA: Students need to understand that your work may be seen by others.
Others may see your work when being distributed, during project work, or if it is
chosen for demonstration purposes.
Students also need to know that there is strong possibility that your work may be
submitted to other entities for the purpose of plagiarism checks.
DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities may contact the Disabilities Service
Office, Central Campus, at 800-628-7722 or 937-393-3431.