Respiratory Care Examination Preparation Syllabus for 2025-2026
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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.

Privacy Statement

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-2230-001 Respiratory Care Examination Preparation

Prerequisites

Course Description

Comprehensive review to optimize respiratory care credentialing exam success.

Student Resources Student 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

(2 sem hrs; 2 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Respiratory Care Exam Review, Gary Persing, latest edition, Evolve.

Supplies

Laptop with Internet/WiFi capability for in-class and online testing

Student Performance

End of Course Outcomes:  Recall, apply, and analyze concepts and theories in respiratory therapy.

In order to successfully complete the requirements for this course, the student must demonstrate the competencies as described by the following goals and objectives as evaluated by the faculty in the program.

A.  GOALS

Given the course textbook, personal notes, handouts, and other learning activities:

1. The student will be familiar with NBRC Board Exam matrices and content; and understand branching logic as used in the Clinical Simulation Exam.
2. The student will be skilled in the technical aspects of successfully completing the computerized Therapist Multiple Choice Exam and the Clinical Simulation Exam.

A minimum grade of a “C” must be earned by each student to successfully complete the goals of this course.

B.  MINIMUM COMPETENCIES

Given the course textbook, personal notes, handouts, and course presentations, the student should demonstrate competence in each of the specified areas by scoring 75% on the examination over the material listed.

1. Strengthen the practical application of respiratory care procedures and theory.
2. Identify individual areas of strength and weakness in respiratory care knowledge.
3. Learn positive techniques for taking the NBRC exams.
4. Become familiar with the NBRC exam matrices, content areas, and branching logic.
5. Possess adequate computer skills to complete the Board Exams.
6. Successfully complete the Written RRT SAE Exam.

Students 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

1. Please make every effort to be on time. Late arrivals, leaving class and returning are very disruptive to the class and to a proper learning environment.
2. All assignments must be completed prior to class so the student is prepared to participate in the activities for the day.
3. Cell phones and smart watches must be silenced or in vibrate mode and earbuds may not be worn during class. In addition, cell phones will not be used as calculators for exams. Cell phones and smart watches must be stored in the cell phone pouches at the front of the class during exams. If a cell phone rings during a major exam, a 10% score deduction will be implemented when the exam is graded.
4. In order to perform well in this class, it will be necessary to attend class and complete all assignments. Attendance is mandatory, graded, and will significantly affect your final grade.
5. Any behavior deemed as disruptive or disrespectful by the instructor may lead to the student(s) being asked to leave the classroom. If this happens, the student(s) will not be allowed to return until after a counseling session with the Program Director.
6. Cheating on exams will result in a grade of zero (0) for the exam and will severely jeopardize successful completion of this course (see AC RC Student Handbook).
7. In the event that AC moves to virtual only courses, it will be a requirement that webcams be on at all times during class. Failure to turn on or leave on a webcam will result in an absence for that scheduled class time.

Grading Criteria

Required Work

1. WRE Pretest
2. 7 section tests
3. TMC and CSE Practice Exams
4. NBRC Self-Assessment Exam (online at NBRC.org)
5. Secure TMC-SAE (Exit Exam)
6. Class participation
7. Homework problem (Murder Mystery)
8. Workshop Attendance

Testing Policy

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.

Calculators may be used during exams and will be made available on the Respondus toolbar.

Make-up policy: There will be no make-up offered for the section quizzes. If you anticipate missing a section quiz, you may take it before the assigned date but the maximum score will be 75%.

The student will not be permitted to look at or keep any of the exams.

All testing will be done online using your personal laptop or tablet so make sure that your laptop or tablet is ready for testing. IT recommends that you do the following:

The night before the exam:

1. Shut down your laptop/ so that it can load updates
2. Leave the laptop off for at least 30 minutes
3. Restart and allow updates to finish loading
4. Fully charge the laptop
5. Turn off VPN software

If you do not bring your laptop or if it fails to function for the exam, you may be allowed to use a program loaner. There are only two loaner options, so if these are unavailable, you will have to take the exam at a later date with the late penalty applied to your test grade. If you do not own a laptop, please see the instructor prior to the first test date.

Category weights:

Exit Exam %     Gradebook Entry

70 – 100                     95%

60 – 69                       85%

55 – 59                       75%

0 – 54                         Actual score

Final (TMC SAE Exam) - 60% of final grade
Class Participation - 25% of final grade
Section Exams/Homework/Games - 15% of final grade

Evaluation

1. Exams will be timed according to NBRC guidelines.
2. Exams, homework and other items will have a specific value of points awarded.
3. Nothing in this course will be curved.
4. Additional assignments may also be given and points may be earned by the student for completion of the assignments.
5. Failure to complete assigned homework on time will result in a maximum score of 75% on that assignment when completed.
6. Grade categories will be weighted.  The grade book will compute the student’s earned score which will be expressed as a percent and converted to a final grade.  Scores below 75% will not be rounded.  ANY score lower than 75% will result in a grade of "F".  74.9% is not passing!  Scores above 75% will be rounded up, i.e. 84.8% will become 85%.
7. The normal grading scale for this course is:

A= 90-100%
B= 80-89%
C= 75-79%
F= less than 75%

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.

Attendance

A student who plans to succeed in this course should also plan to regularly attend and participate in all course sessions.  Students who are late for class or are absent will have class participation points deducted and may be at risk in passing the course.  Each student with a tardy/attendance problem will be handled on an individual basis.

Each class is worth 10 points. Three (3) points will be deducted if the student arrives late or leaves early.

Calendar

Additional Information

Grievance Procedure

A student who has a problem with the course policy or the course instructor, should first try and resolve the problem with the instructor.  If the problem cannot be resolved at this level, the student should go to the Program Director (Becky Byrd), and then to the Dean of Health Professions (Kim Boyd).