Revised 05/2025

RTH 145 - Pharmacology for Respiratory Care I (1 CR.)

Course Description

Presents selection criteria for the use of, and detailed information on pharmacologic agents used in pulmonary care. Lab: 2 hours/week. Total 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course prepares the respiratory therapy student with the pharmacology knowledge needed for entry into the first clinical course taught in the 2nd semester of the program.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites: BIO 141, BIO 142 and HLT 141.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

• Describe sources of drugs and different forms in which drugs are dispensed.
• Discuss local and systemic effects of drugs and factors influencing the actions of drugs
• Safely and accurately administer aerosolized bronchodilators, mucolytics, surface active agents, inhaled corticosteroids, and mediator antagonists to include administration via svn, mdi and dpi
• Identify specific drugs and their use in treating respiratory disease
• Present on an objective related to the class
• Write a paper with citations, using Word or similar word processing software

Major Topics to Be Included

• Principles of drug action
• Physiology of the central and peripheral nervous system as it relates to the principles of drug action
• Dosage calculation
• Sympathomimetic and parasympatholytic bronchodilators
• Mucolytic and surface-active agents
• Inhaled corticosteroid and mediator antagonists