_________________________TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE______________________
Division of Health, Justice, and Human Services
Respiratory Therapy Program
COURSE:
ITEM #:
SECTION:
TIME/DAYS:
RC 152
Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation
CREDITS: 4
0833
A
Mon & Wed 1:00 pm – 3:20 pm
LOCATION: 13-223
INSTRUCTOR:
Greg Carter
OFFICE HOURS:
TCC 13-232 Monday 9a – 10a
Wednesday 9a – 12p
Friday 10a – 12p
Phone: 253-566-5231; E-mail: gcarter@tacomacc.edu
Cell: 243-227-5329 (For Emergencies Only)
Course Description
Course will continue to build on the clinical skills and knowledge base acquired in RC 150 & 151.
This course is to introduce the respiratory student to basic concepts in Mechanical Ventilation
including initiation of mechanical ventilation, modes, ventilator management and weaning.
Materials/Equipment:
For class it is recommended you use three ring binders for lecture notes and handouts. Scantrons
will be needed for exams.
Texts/Resources:
 Mechanical Ventilation, 5th ed., by Susan Pilbeam
 Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, 10th ed., by Scanlan, et. al.
Assignments:
There will be text reading assignments along with review questions each week. Late work maybe
accepted at the instructor’s discretion with a 20% deduction per day.
Grading:
Grades are based on the percentage of total points accumulated during the quarter. Letter grades
will be assigned as follows:
 A > 92%
 D = 60 – 72%
 B > 83%
 E < 60%
 C > 75%
A grade < C will prevent a student from continuing in the Respiratory Program.
MAJOR POINT DISTRIBUTION:
There will be 3 Quizzes worth ~ 50 pts ea.
1 Exams
Chapter reviews (8)
Total points possible this quarter
150 points
120 points
80 points
350 points
Extra credit "bonus points" may be earned through community service for 1 point per hour up to a
maximum of 15 points per quarter and must be pre-approved by the instructor. Students joining the
American Association for Respiratory Care will be awarded 15 points. There is a 20-point maximum
of bonus points that may be applied to your grade per quarter. Extra credit points may not be used to
pass this course and will not be added until a final grade of C or better has been achieved. Point
distribution is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. Additional quizzes, exams or
assignments may be added.
Classroom Attendance
If you are absent it is your responsibility to obtain all information missed from a classmate or the
instructor during office hours. If you have an unexcused absence on the day of a scheduled quiz or
exam there will be a 10% deduction from your score. The instructor also reserves the right to give a
make-up quiz/exam that is different than the scheduled quiz/exam given to the rest of the class. This
quarter is very labor intensive so it will be important for the student arrive to lecture on time. Every 3
late arrivals to class will equal to an unexcused absence.
To arrange for an unexcused absence you must call (or leave a message) the instructor prior to the start
of the class period. Failure to notify the instructor will result in the absence being counted as
unexcused. Each unexcused absence will result a 15 point deduction in your final grade.
Academic Honesty:
Academic dishonesty is inconsistent with the values and mission of Tacoma Community College and
the Respiratory Care Program. Students at TCC are expected to be honest and forthright in their
academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic dishonesty corrupt
the learning process and threaten the educational environment for all students.
Academic dishonesty is a violation of Tacoma Community College Chapter 132V-121 WAC: The
complete administrative process for academic dishonesty is available on the TCC website.
http://www.tacomacc.edu/abouttcc/policies/administrativeprocedureforacademicdishonesty/
In this course, sanctions for academic dishonesty would include:
No dishonorable conduct will be tolerated, including cheating, plagiarism, lying, stealing, falsifying
clinical time, forging clinical preceptor’s signatures, divulging patient personal information, or actions
that may harm a patient or fellow student. Failure to comply with the policy will result in immediate
dismissal for the program.
Cellular Phones/Pagers:
Due to the distracting nature of pagers and cellular phones, students will be required to turn these
devices to a vibrate mode or entirely off during class/lab/clinical. An option is to use a voice mail
message system for the pager or phone and to pick up messages between classes. 5 points will be
deducted from an individual’s score if their cell phone/pager is heard during a class lecture.
Students with Special Needs:
All students are responsible for all requirements of the class, but the way they meet these requirements
may vary. If you need specific auxiliary aids or services due to a disability, please contact the Access
Services office in Building 7 (253-566-5328) or you can send a request to
accesstesting@tacomacc.edu. They will require you to present formal, written documentation of your
disability from an appropriate professional. When this step has been completed, arrangements will be
made for you to receive reasonable auxiliary aids or services. The disability accommodation
documentation prepared by Access Services must be given to me before the accommodation is need so
that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Chain of Command in Classroom concerns/disputes
If you have questions or concerns about this class or me, please come to talk with e about your
concerns. If we are unable to resolve your concerns; you may talk next with the Dean Krista Fox.
Krista Fox can be contacted by calling 566-5147.
Degree Learning Outcomes:
Degree Learning Outcomes are located on the website at:
http://www.tacomacc.edu/abouttcc/missionvisionandstrategicplan/
Program Learning Outcomes (PLO):
Upon successful completion of the Associates in Applied Sciences Degree in Respiratory Therapy,
students will:
1. Apply the respiratory care knowledge necessary to function in a health care setting.
2. Use critical thinking skills to recommend appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using
patient data from laboratory and physiologic evaluations (CRT, IIT).
3. Perform cardio-pulmonary therapeutic procedures and modalities appropriate to level of training
(CRT).
4. Function effectively as a member of a healthcare team (COM, LWC, RES).
5. Exemplify professional and ethical behavior (RES).
Specific Course Learning Objectives
To obtain a passing grade for this course, students must demonstrate competency in the following
areas:
1. Differentiate between hypoxemic respiratory failure (type I) and hypercapnic respiratory
failure(type II). PLO: 1, 2
2. Explain the causes of acute respiratory failure. PLO: 1
3. Discuss the differences between chronic respiratory failure and acute-on-chronic respiratory
failure. PLO: 1, 2
4. Discuss the indications for ventilatory support. PLO: 1, 2
5. Discuss the general management principles of hypoxemic and hypercapnic respiratory failure.
PLO: 1, 2
6. Discuss the indications for noninvasive ventilation. PLO: 1, 2, 3
7. Classify and discuss the different modes of mechanical ventilation. PLO: 1, 3
8. Discuss the indications for the basic modes of ventilatory support. PLO: 1, 3
9. Discuss are the effects of mechanical ventilation on oxygenation, ventilation, and lung mechanics.
PLO: 1, 3
10. Discuss the effects of positive pressure ventilation on other body systems. PLO: 1, 3,
11. Describe and list the complications and hazards of providing mechanical ventilatory support.
PLO: 1, 3
12. Describe how to choose an appropriate ventilator to begin ventilatory support. PLO: 1, 2, 3,
13. Explain how to select an appropriate mode and settings given a patient’s specific condition and
ventilatory requirements. PLO: 1, 2, 3
14. Describe how to assess a patient after initiation of ventilation. PLO: 1, 2, 3
15. Explain how to adjust the ventilator on the basis of the patient’s response. PLO: 1, 2, 3,
16. Discuss the principles of monitoring the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, neurological
status, renal function, liver function, and nutritional status of patients in intensive care. PLO: 1, 2,
3
17. Discuss why the caregiver is the most important monitor in the ICU. PLO: 1, 3, 4,
18. Describe how to evaluate measures of patient oxygenation in the ICU. PLO: 1, 2, 3
19. Describe the approach used to evaluate changes in respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute
ventilation, PaCO2, and end-tidal PCO2 values for monitoring purposes. PLO: 1, 2, 3
20. Discuss monitoring techniques used in the ICU to evaluate lung and chest wall mechanics and
work of breathing. PLO: 1, 2, 3
21. Discuss the importance of monitoring peak and plateau pressures in patients receiving mechanical
ventilatory support. PLO: 1, 2, 3
22. Discuss the importance of neurological status monitoring in the ICU and the variables that should
be monitored. PLO: 1, 2, 3
23. Discuss evaluation of renal function, liver function, and nutritional status in intensive care. PLO:
1, 2, 3
24. List factors associated with ventilator dependence. PLO: 1, 3
25. Explain how to evaluate a patient before attempting ventilator discontinuation or weaning. PLO:
1, 2, 3
26. List acceptable values for specific weaning indices used to predict a patient’s readiness for
discontinuation of ventilatory support. PLO: 1, 2
27. Describe factors that should be optimized before an attempt is made at ventilator discontinuation
or weaning. PLO: 1, 2, 3
28. Describe techniques used in ventilator weaning, including daily spontaneous breathing trials,
synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation, pressure support ventilation, and other newer
methods. PLO: 1, 2, 3
29. Contrast the advantages and disadvantages associated with various weaning methods and
techniques. PLO: 1, 3
30. Explain why some patients cannot be successfully weaned from ventilatory support. PLO: 1, 3,
COURSE SCHEDULE
TOPIC
Week 1 (March 30-April 3)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 2 (April 6-10)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 3 (April 13-17)
 Monday

Wednesday
Week 4 (April 20-24)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 5 (April 27-May 1)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 6 (May 4-8)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 7 (May 11-15)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 8 (May 18-22)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 9 (May 25-29)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 10 (June 1-5)
 Monday
 Wednesday
Week 11 (June 8 )
 Monday
ASSIGNMENTS
Basic Terms & Concepts
How a breath is delivered
Pilbeam Ch. 1
Pilbeam Ch. 3
Quiz 1
Establishing the Need for MV
Establishing the Need for MV
Homework 1 & 2 due 4/6 8a
Pilbeam Ch. 4
RCSW Conference
No Class
Establishing the Need for MV
Selecting the Ventilator Mode
Pilbeam Ch. 5
Homework 3 due Fri 4/17 4p
Selecting the Ventilator Mode
Selecting the Ventilator Mode
Pilbeam Ch. 5
Homework 4 due Fri 4/24 4p
Quiz 2
Ventilator Skill Evaluations
Initial Ventilator Settings
Pilbeam Ch. 6
Educational Planning Day
No School
Initial Ventilator Settings
Final Ventilator Set-up
Final Ventilator Set-up
Homework 5/6 due Fri 5/15 4p
Quiz 3
Initial Assessment
Initial Assessment
Pilbeam Ch. 8
Homework 7 due Fri 5/22 4p
** Memorial Day **
No School
Therapeutic Interventions
Pilbeam Ch 12 & 13
Therapeutic Interventions
Therapeutic Interventions
Finals Weeks
Pilbeam Ch. 7
Homework 8 due Fri 6/5