RTH 162 - Principles of Mechanical Ventilation

1. Distinguish and use basic terms and concepts of mechanical ventilation.
2. Identify and apply the physical aspects of mechanical ventilation in equipment and patient care.
3. Determine the need for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation versus invasive mechanical ventilation.
4. Select modes and initial settings for mechanical ventilation of the adult based on patient pathology and situation.
5. Perform advanced level physical assessments on critically ill patients to include the patient’s airway, breathing and circulation, interpreting the findings and utilizing critical thinking skills to make correct respiratory care decisions based on these findings.
6. Perform advanced respiratory assessment monitoring in the intensive care unit to assess ventilatory status, evaluate oxygenation and oxygen transport, interpret and utilize critical thinking skills to make correct respiratory care decisions based on these findings.
7. Interpret basic waveform graphics, recognize problems, troubleshoot the issues, and apply decision making skills to alleviate the problem.

1. Establishing the Need for Mechanical Ventilation
2. Mechanical Ventilation
   1. Non-invasive
   2. Invasive
3. The Physiologic Basis of Ventilatory Support
   1. Respiratory distress versus respiratory failure
   2. Oxygenation versus ventilation issues
4. Physical Principles of Positive Pressure Ventilation
   1. Power and controls
   2. Variables (pressure versus volume)
   3. Modes of ventilation
   4. Output
   5. Alarms
5. Physical Assessment of the Critically Ill Patient
   1. Airway assessment
   2. Breathing assessment
   3. Circulatory assessment through non-invasive means
6. Interpreting Basic Waveform Graphics
   1. Scalar versus flow-volume
   2. Troubleshooting and decision making
7. Respiratory Monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit
   1. Ventilatory assessment and related monitoring equipment
   2. Oxygenation assessment, estimates of oxygen transport, and related monitoring equipment
   3. Calculations