Revised 05/2025

RTH 132 - Respiratory Care Theory and Procedures II (4 CR.)

Course Description

Presents theory of equipment and procedures used for patients requiring general and critical cardiopulmonary care. Part II of II. Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 6 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course is offered in the second semester of the respiratory care program. This is the second part of a two-part respiratory care theory and procedures class.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites: RTH 121, RTH 131 and RTH 145. Competence in basic instrumentation and its application to respiratory therapeutics is required

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• State the indications and goals of mechanical ventilation
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of all aspects of a variety of equipment used for resuscitation
• Explain the design and operation of commonly used adult mechanical ventilators
• Discuss the strategies, hazards, and complications of mechanical ventilation on the critically ill adult 

Major Topics to Be Included

• Manual resuscitators
• Adult mechanical ventilators
• Extubation