Respiratory Care Procedures I Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

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Course

RSPT-1410-001 Respiratory Care Procedures I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Essential knowledge of the equipment and techniques used in the treatment of cardiopulmonary disease.

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

Hours

(4 sem hrs 3 lec 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

1. Kacmarek, Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care, Elsevier (current edition).
2. Cairo/Pilbeam, Mosby’s Respiratory Care Equipment, Elsevier (current edition).
3. Lab Manual (posted in Blackboard)
4. Lecture Notes (posted in Blackboard)

Supplies

1. 1 box of exam gloves
2. Disposable lab supplies (purchased in AC West Campus Bookstore)
3. Stethoscope
4. 1 box of tissues (optional)
5. Printed notes for lecture and lab, or tablet with electronic writing device and Airplane mode capability.

Learning through the use of handwritten notes are now a requirement of the Respiratory Care program. Students will no longer be allowed to use a laptop or a tablet with a keyboard to type their notes during lectures and labs. Tablets with an electronic writing device will be allowed for taking handwritten notes as long as Airplane mode is enabled so the user is unable to receive notifications of any kind.
Reasoning: According to Van der Weel and Van der Meer (2024), students enrolled in healthcare programs across a variety of educational institutions demonstrated that handwritten note taking improved understanding, retention, and clinical reasoning better than students who utilized typing for note taking. Learning skills such as retention and reasoning are critically necessary for blood gas interpretation, ventilator management, and patient assessment which are deeply dependent on the understanding of the material and the pattern recognition that handwriting supports. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1219945 

Student Performance

End-of-Course Outcomes:  Utilize respiratory care equipment; perform therapeutic procedures including oxygen therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, lung expansion therapy, bronchial hygiene therapy, and pulse oximetry; recommend modification of therapy; and maintain patient records.

Section 1

1. List the gases that make up our atmosphere and their percentages.
2. Define and calculate partial pressures, given total pressure and gas percentage.
3. List six medical gases and describe their characteristics
4. Define STPD, ATPS, BTPS, density, and specific gravity.
5. Describe the manufacturing of oxygen by fractional distillation of air.
6. Describe the construction and testing of gas cylinders.
7. List the most commonly used cylinder sizes noting the capacity, cylinder markings and color coding for the various medical gases.
8. Describe the types of gas cylinder valves and pressure-relief valves.
9. Explain cylinder safety systems and their uses.
10. Determine the gas flow duration of various size cylinders at various flows.
11. Describe the construction, use and safety features of bulk liquid oxygen storage, portable liquid oxygen systems and central supply oxygen systems.
12. Demonstrate the proper techniques of transporting compressed gas cylinders.
13. Explain the principle of operation of regulators and flowmeters.
14. Explain the differences between low-flow, reservoir, high flow, variable-performance and fixed-performance oxygen administration devices.
15. Describe the uses, advantages and disadvantages, recommended liter flows, total liter flows and approximate FIO2’s of the oxygen delivery devices.
16. Calculate and explain the relationship between, total cycle time, inspiratory time, expiratory time and inspiratory time to expiratory time ratio (I:E)
17. Calculate minute ventilation and minute alveolar ventilation.
18. Describe the use of pulse oximetry.
19. Demonstrate the proper techniques for attaching pressure regulators to compressed gas cylinders, for attaching flowmeters to pressure regulators and for attaching various oxygen administration devices to flowmeters.

Section 2

1. Convert temperatures from one scale to another.
2. Define terms associated with humidity and aerosols.
3. Solve problems dealing with absolute humidity, relative humidity and humidity deficits.
4. Describe the physiology, goals and indications for humidification therapy.
5. Define isothermic saturation boundary and list the factors that can shift the ISB.
6. Explain the differences between a humidifier and a nebulizer and between vapor and aerosol.
7. List and describe the factors affecting the performance of humidification devices.
8. Explain the principle of operation of humidification devices.
9. Describe the characteristics and principles of operation of nebulizers.
10. Describe the uses, advantages and disadvantages, recommended liter flows and approximate FIO2 s of the aerosol devices:
11. Define terms related to aerosols.
12. List and factors that affect the penetration and deposition of aerosol particles and describe the optimal ventilatory pattern for a patient on aerosol therapy.
13. Explain the indications, contraindications, hazards, types and goals of aerosol therapy.
14. Demonstrate the proper techniques of administering humidity and aerosol therapy with available devices.
15. Describe the indications, contraindications, precautions and hazards of respiratory pharmacologic agents.
16. List the indications for aerosol therapy and demonstrate understanding of the principle of operation and proper techniques of administering aerosol therapy by SVN.

Section 3

1. Discuss the process of assessing the need for oxygen therapy.
2. List and discuss the symptoms and types of hypoxia and their treatments including the goals, indications, contraindications and hazards of oxygen therapy.
3. Discuss the process of selecting the proper oxygen delivery device.
4. Describe the operating principles of the oxygen systems and demonstrate the proper techniques of administering oxygen with available devices.
5. Define and discuss hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), nitric oxide (NO) therapy and He therapy, including the physiologic affects, methods of administration, indications, dosing, precautions and hazards.
6. Discuss the incidence, etiology, clinical signs and radiologic signs of atelectasis and describe the relationship between intrapulmonary, intrapleural and transpulmonary pressures.
7. Discuss the effects, indications, contraindications and hazards of the various lung expansion modalities on atelectasis, including incentive spirometer, IPPB, positive expiratory pressure (PEP), EZPAP therapies.
8. Demonstrate the proper techniques of administering incentive spirometer, IPPB, positive expiratory pressure (PEP), EZPAP therapies.

Section 4

1. List the indications, contraindications and goals for Chest Percussion and Postural Drainage (CPPD) therapy.
2. Demonstrate the proper techniques of positioning, percussion and vibration used in CPPD therapy.
3. Understand the indications, contraindications, physiological effects and techniques for tracheal aspiration.
4. Describe and demonstrate proper techniques for procuring a patent airway, including positioning maneuvers and simple airways.
5. Describe proper techniques of handling contaminated equipment and preparing equipment for sterilization.
6. Explain how microbial destruction is achieved by sterilization methods:
7. Describe the purpose of bacterial surveillance programs and explain the procedures involved.

Additional objectives will be made available as new sections are developed.

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 are very disrupting to the class and to a proper leaning environment.
2. The student should read assignments prior to class and be prepared to discuss topics covered in class.  Students will be called on to share their understanding of topics.
3. Assigned homework is to be completed before class.  Homework cannot be completed in class unless the instructor gives permission.
4. Exams and quizzes will be administered at the beginning of class.  In the case of major exams, students may begin the exam when they arrive, but will have the same completion deadline as everyone else in the class.  In the case of quizzes, if the student arrives late, he/she will not be allowed to take the quiz and will receive a grade of 0 (zero).
5. Cell phones and smart watches must be silenced and earbuds must be removed and put away during lecture and lab. Excessive cell phone usage during lecture or lab that becomes distracting to the instructor or to other students will result in the student being awarded one attendance point for the day. See section on attendance points.
6. The use of smart glasses are strictly prohibited. Any student found using smart glasses during an exam, quiz, or any other assignment will be subject to the consequences of cheating as outlined in the student handbook.
7. If a cell phone rings during a major exam, a 10% score deduction will be implemented when the exam is graded.
8. Calculators may be used during exams or quizzes and will be provided by the program.
9. Any behavior deemed as being 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.
10. Cheating on exams or copying the work of others on assignments will result in a grade of 0 (zero) for the exam or assignment and will severely jeopardize successful completion of this course (see AC RC Student Handbook).

Grading Criteria

Activities

1. Homework assignments
2. Classroom activities
3. Lab exercises
4. Daily quizzes
5. Section exams
6. Final exam
7. Patient simulations
8. Lab Practical

There will be no exemptions from section or final exams and the student will not be permitted to access exams after completion.

Testing Procedure

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

Prior to any exam, students must wait in the testing center quietly and not be disruptive and noisy as other students may be testing or studying in this area. Once testing has begun, students will not be allowed to leave the testing room for any reason. After completion of a major exam, the student must leave the testing center and will not be allowed to wait for another student(s) to finish testing.

A calculator may be used for exams and will be provided in the Respondus Lockdown Browser toolbar.

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

Lab exercises & homework assignments are intended to enhance learning the course material and to prepare for exams. Lab exercises and homework assignments will be due on a specified date. Late work will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. The student will have 1 week after the lab exercise is graded to improve the score with a maximum grade of 85%. Interactive sessions may be held to "go over" the answers and to give the opportunity to ask questions. The points earned from simulation, homework and lab exercises will not be added into the student's course grade average unless the student has earned at least a 74.5% average on exams and quizzes.

Simulation Lab

The simulation lab is for testing and there will be a reasonable time limit on all simulations.  Absolutely no teaching regarding technique will be done.  Questions may be asked about the situation.  Each simulation is worth 10 points and all sims 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 7.5.

Grades given in the simulation lab are based on subjective and objective criteria. Students should never expect to receive a perfect score in the simulation lab. Clinical instructors are well trained on the expectations for performance in the simulation lab and assign grades based on your performance as a student in an entry-to-practice program and not your prior experience working in any other health-related field. The procedures and techniques learned in Respiratory Care are unique to the profession and unlike any other medical profession or practice.

Remediation Policy

Mandatory tutoring in the West Campus Student Success Center (WCB Building) will be required when a test is failed. The student will obtain a “prescription” for tutoring from the instructor and return proof of the tutoring session to the instructor when tutoring is complete. The student must complete the prescribed tutoring to be eligible to take the next exam.

The instructor may 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. discussion of topics

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 additional negative points (-10 points) for that exam.

Faculty Texting and Phone Policy

Faculty will reply to emails on school days between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, and as I check my email after hours.  I may also be available by text or phone after hours but please be courteous of my personal time.  I will respond in a time that fits my personal, after hours schedule. Any calls or texts after 9:00 pm will be silenced and I will respond as soon as I access my phone.

Other

Additional assignments may also be given and points may be earned by the student for completion of the assignment.

1. There are no extra credit assignments for RSPT 1410, however, there will be extra credit offered in the form of bonus points on every exam.
2. Nothing in this course will be curved.
3. At least 10% of the questions on major exams will come from the reading assignments.
4. If daily quizzes are given, two (2) daily quiz grades will be dropped.
5. At the end of the course, the points earned from quizzes, simulation, homework, and lab exercises will then be added into the student's course grade average if the student has earned at least a 74.5% average on ALL exams. In other words, the "Course Grade" visible in Blackboard will be points earned from exams ONLY. A student who does not achieve a passing exam grade in this course will not pass the course and will not be able to advance to any other courses offered in the program. The student will have to wait to re-enroll in the course that was failed when it is offered the following year. For example, if the student fails RSPT-1410 in fall 2025, the student cannot return until fall 2026 and cannot enroll in any other courses until after successful completion of RSPT-1410.
6. Total possible course points may change as assignments are added throughout the semester.
7. At the end of the course, the grade will be computed and the result will be expressed as a percent.  The final course grades will not be curved.
8. Rounding of grades will take place as follows:  0.5 will round up to the next highest whole number, ex. 74.5 = 75.0.  74.4 will NOT round up.
9. Grades will be posted in Blackboard.
10. The normal grading scale for this course is:

             A = 90 - 100
             B = 80 - 89
             C = 75 - 79
             F = 0 - 74

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, smart glasses, 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

Any time a class is missed, it is the student's responsibility to obtain notes from classmates.  The instructor will be happy to discuss any information from the class, but the instructor's lecture notes are not available for copying.

To minimize absences, student may earn points that will affect the final course grade. Every time the student earns four (4) points, the final course grade will be dropped one (1) letter grade. Points are earned as follows:

A student who plans to succeed in this course should also plan to regularly attend all lecture and laboratory sessions.  Cases of excessive tardiness and absence will be handled on an individual basis and will require a counseling session.  Following this session, a departmental counseling form will be placed in your file.  The purpose of this form is to document that the student has been made aware that excessive absences are jeopardizing successful completion of this course.

Calendar

Additional Information

Grievance Procedure

As a student enrolled in a professional degree program, professionalism is expected at all times. Students who have a grievance over any aspect of the course must meet with the instructor in private to discuss the issue. At no point is it appropriate, nor professional, for a student to openly discuss a grievance during class, lab, or clinicals with other students, college faculty, or clinical staff. This type of behavior will be addressed swiftly and on an individual basis. If the problem is not resolved with the instructor, the student may proceed to the Program Director (Becky Byrd), then to the Dean of Health Professions (Kim Boyd), in that order.

Student Resources

This website can be used to find those needed resources for you and your family.