Mechanical Ventilation Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

RSPT-2414-002 Mechanical Ventilation

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RSPT 1411

Course Description

The study of mechanical ventilation with emphasis on ventilator classification, methods, principles, and operational characteristics.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

1. Egan's Fundamentals of Resp. Care, 12th ed., Elsevier.
2. Pilbeam, Mechanical Ventilation: Physiological and Clinical Application, 7th ed., Elsevier.
3. Mosby’s Respiratory Care Equipment, 10th ed., Elsevier.
4. Lab Manual (downloaded from the web)
5. Lecture notes (downloaded from the web)

Be aware that book #1 and #3 were purchased last semester.

Supplies

1. Disposable lab supplies (purchased in previous Fall semester in AC West Campus Bookstore).
2. Stethoscope
3. Class Notes
4. Laptop or tablet with Internet/WiFi/camera capability for in-class online testing

 

Student Performance

End of Course Outcomes:  Set up equipment; initiate mechanical ventilation; troubleshoot equipment; maintain patient records; and communicate relevant information to members of the health care team.

1. Know the indications for and the goals of mechanical ventilatory support.
2. Understand the differences between negative pressure ventilation, positive pressure ventilation and spontaneous ventilation.
3. Describe power sources, drive mechanisms, circuits, breath types, and control variables of mechanical ventilators.
4. Discuss time, flow, volume,and pressure relationships of mechanical ventilators.
5. Understand the phase variables of mechanical ventilators.
6. Calculate compressed volume loss and describe how this volume is affected by PIP.
7. Describe inflation hold. Why is it used? What are its side-effects?
8. Describe expiratory phase modifications, including expiratory hold, expiratory retard and PEEP.
9. Understand the clinical effects, both beneficial and harmful of mechanical ventilators.
10. Describe modes of ventilation.
11. Solve equations dealing with the relationships between tidal volume, gas flow rate, total cycle time, inspiratory time, expiratory time and I:E ratios.
12. Understand the effects of increased airway resistance, decreased compliance and leaks in the circuits on each type of cycling mechanism.
13. Understand the steps to begin mechanical ventilatory support including cardiovascular stabilization.
14. Describe humidification and heating techniques for mechanical ventilation, including advantages and disadvantages of humidifiers vs. heat/moisture exchangers.
15. Know ventilator initial settings for mode, tidal volume, respiratory rate, sensitivity, gas flow rate, FIO2, sighs, PEEP, humidification and alarm settings.
16. Describe and be able to set all types of ventilator alarms.
17. Monitor a ventilators operation and make ventilator changes according to arterial blood gas results and patient response.
18. Understand compliance and airway resistance, and be able to describe monitoring techniques for peak pressure, plateau pressure and mean airway pressure.
19. List conditions that may change lung compliance and airway resistance.
20. Evaluate and interpret ventilator graphics and waveforms.
21. Understand advanced ventilator techniques.
22. Identify the primary and secondary goals of ventilatory support of newborn and pediatric patients.
23. Explain key areas of assessment that influence the decision on whether to initiate ventilatory support for newborn and pediatric patients.
24. From patient data, recognize the need for mechanical ventilatory support in newborn and pediatric patients.
25. Discuss the rationale and indications for high-frequency ventilation in newborn and pediatric patients.
26. Compare the characteristics and basic delivery systems of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV).
27. Explain the physiological and theoretic mechanisms of gas exchange that govern high-frequency ventilation and defend the mechanism thought to be most correct.
28. Explain how settings of HFOV are initially adjusted, the effect of individual controls on gas exchange, and strategies of patient management.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Grievance Procedure: If a student is having a problem with course policies or the instructor, he/she should first try and resolve any such problems through the instructor.  If the problem is not resolved, the student may proceed to Respiratory Care Program Director (Becky Byrd), and then to the Dean of Health Sciences (Kim Boyd).

 

Grading Criteria

1. Homework assignments
2. Lab exercises
3. Weekly quizzes
4. Three (3) section exams
5. Lab Practical exam
6. Patient simulations

There will be no exemptions from section or final exams.

Testing Procedure

Exams will be administered using Respondus Lockdown Browser to ensure exam integrity.

During the testing period, the student may take a break, however, no additional time will be allowed for the test.  Only one student at a time may leave the testing room.  After completion of a major exam, the student will not be allowed to wait for the next class in the laboratory or hallway.  The student must either sit quietly in their seat until all students are finished or exit the building.

Calculators may be used during exams and quizzes.  The calculator tool will be enabled through Respondus Lockdown Browser for exams.

The Program has 1 "loaner" computer for testing. If your laptop fails to log in, the loaner will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If the loaner is not available, the test will have to be taken late, with the make-up penalty applied. The instructor will make every effort to attempt to find a computer for students to take their exams at the appropriate time to avoid a grade penalty.

Exams will not be made available to review post-test.  If the student desires to know specific content areas to study based on exam performance, an appointment must be made with the instructor to discuss this information.  Pictures and/or recordings of exam questions are not allowed.  Failure to adhere to this policy will result in a grade of 0 for the exam and will severely jeopardize successful completion of this course (see AC RC Student Handbook).

Make-up policy

The opportunity to make-up missed tests and turn in assignments will be decided on an individual basis by the instructor.  The exam must be taken within 1 week and the maximum grade that can be earned is 75%.  Makeup exams may be different from the exam given on the scheduled day.  There will be no make-up offered for the final exam, lab practical or quizzes.

Lab Exercises & Homework Assignments

This course will incorporate an online ventilator learning module system. All assigned pre-lab work must be completed before arriving to a scheduled lab class time. Failure to do so will jeopardize your ability to participate with your group for the in-lab assignments and will jeopardize the quality of your learning experience.

Lab exercises & homework assignments are intended to enhance learning course material and to prepare for exams.  Lab is designed as a place to learn, then to practice, and finally to test in the simulation lab. In the lab you are expected to perform the Lab Exercises and practice for the simulations. Lab worksheets are homework. Graded lab exercises can be "redone" to raise the initial grade, but the re-grade cannot exceed 85%.  Lab exercises, lab exercise corrections and homework assignments will be due on a specified date and will not be accepted late. 

Lab Exercises will be submitted for grading as a group assignment. Students working on the assignment must sign their own name to the work. Lab Exercise "redo's" must be completed separately, and both the original and corrected work submitted for re-grading. As with the original submission, students working on the corrections must sign their own name to the work. Names may not be added after submission.

The points earned from simulation, homework, quizzes, lab exercises and other lab activities will not be added into the student's course grade average unless the student has earned at least a 74.5% average on the exams.

Simulation Lab

Sim lab is for procedure testing and there will be a reasonable time limit on all simulations.  Minimal teaching regarding technique will be done.  Questions may be asked about the situation.  Each simulation is worth 10 points and all simulations must be passed to pass the course.  Each sim may be attempted up to 3 times, however every attempt after the initial will have a maximum score of 75%. A failed sim attempt will result if your name is drawn for simulation and you are not in class.

During the simulation portion of the lab practical, absolutely no teaching or direction regarding technique will be done.

It will be necessary to spend time in the laboratory outside of class time to complete all laboratory assignments and simulations.  All simulations must be successfully completed by Monday, 4:00 pm, in the week preceding finals.  ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS!

Keep in mind that grades are not given.  Grades are EARNED based on student performance.  Often the instructor plays no role in the grading process other than recording.  Please be careful to note the requirements for earning the grade you desire and act accordingly throughout the semester.

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
Every member of the Amarillo College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted for credit is expected to be the student’s own work. Amarillo College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student or program applicant accused of scholastic dishonesty. While specific examples are listed below, this is not an exhaustive list, and scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any misconduct through electronic or computerized means. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, one (1) or more of the following acts:

1. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally having access to and/or using unauthorized materials identified by the faculty member, including, but not limited to, material generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs and content generators, or electronic, digital media, telecommunication, and/or wearable devices (e.g., laptops, phones, smartwatches, Fitbits, Bluetooth devices, tablets) to complete a quiz, examination, or class assignment; receiving information in an unauthorized manner during a quiz or examination or to complete an assignment; using, buying, selling, soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination questions in advance; using information about exams posted on the internet or in any electronic medium; violating a faculty member’s and/or the Testing Center’s testing policies and procedures; leaving a test site without permission; failing to secure test materials; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site; using someone else’s work for an assignment in whole or in part as if it were one’s own (e.g., turning in a copy of someone else’s work as one’s own work, or incorporating text generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs or content generators as one’s own writing); submitting academic work in whole or in part for more than one (1) assignment, class, or institution without the faculty member’s permission (i.e., recycling an assignment or self-plagiarism); using annotated texts or teacher’s editions; making false statements or omissions related to applications for enrollment, credit or classwork, research, or the award of a degree; falsifying academic records or documents; and attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course through any other dishonest means.
    
2. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty; failing to secure academic work; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; collaborating with or communicating answers to a classmate about an examination or course assignment without the faculty member’s permission; and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
    
3. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally failing to quote and cite words, information, and/or ideas taken from a source(s) in accordance with a citation style approved by the faculty member and/or inadequately paraphrasing.

Remediation Policy

The instructor will meet with students who do not pass exams for mandatory remediation.  Both parties will develop a plan to gain better understanding of the information covered on the test.  The plan may include, but not be limited to:

1. research of exam topics
2. written discussion of topics
3. oral discussion of topics
4. mandatory tutoring in the AC Success Center and/or with the SSS Program tutor.

Mandatory remediation of an exam will be a group event at a date/time set by the instructor. Failure to arrive on time and complete the a remediation meeting at the set date/time will result in negative points (-10 points) for that exam.

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information