Iowa Respiratory Therapy Continuing Education and CEU Credits

This is an intermediate-level course geared toward respiratory therapists and all healthcare professionals who care for individuals with asthma. Up-to-date information regarding the definition of asthma, its pathology and interventions are provided.

The purpose of this intermediate-level review course is to provide respiratory therapists with an overview of the definition, etiology, pathophysiology, and management of common neuromuscular disorders. A detailed discussion is provided for the 3 main neuromuscular disorders - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and Myasthenia gravis. Other neuromuscular disorders included in this course are polio, muscular dystrophies, myopathies, and multiple sclerosis.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a continuing education course designed to provide current information on COPD patients and pulmonary rehabilitation. Key topics in this course include: goals of pulmonary rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation program and setting, admission criteria, initial patient evaluation, exercise testing, 6-minute walk test, breathing techniques and chest physical therapy, psychosocial measures, nutritional interventions, collaborative self-management and patient centered, cross-continuum disease management. Pre- and post tests are provided for outcome assessment. A list of current references is available for further reading.

This intermediate-level course provides advanced respiratory care practitioners with up-to-date continuing education on the pathophysiologic processes, clinical findings, diagnoses, etiologic factors, and current trends in the management of pulmonary edema.

This basic-level course provides respiratory therapists with a review of the concepts and principles of anatomy and physiology that apply to clinical practice. This course reviews the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the respiratory system. Structure is covered beginning with a description of the thoracic cage and thoracic cavity, followed by a discussion of lung structures. A description of the airways, alveoli, and the alveolar-capillary membrane is then provided. Physiology related to the pulmonary system is then described. The process of bulk air movement and lung volumes and lung capacities are discussed. Dead space, defenses of the lung, alveolar stability and expansion, and diffusion are also presented. The course concludes with a description of O2 transport, CO2 transport, and neural control of the lungs.

Respiratory therapists are responsible for the assessment and treatment of all cardiopulmonary patients. The purpose of this course is to present the concepts and issues related to patient safety and medical errors, as well as to explore the changes that are necessary for the development of a culture of safety. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) assesses the respiratory therapist's knowledge of nationally recognized patient safety concepts as part of the credentialing exams. Upon completion of this course, the participants will demonstrate an increased level of knowledge surrounding patient safety and medical errors, providing applicable knowledge to the clinical setting.

This intermediate-level course offers respiratory therapists and other healthcare providers a review of detailed arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation and various physiological processes essential for acid-base regulation including basic chemistry, lung function, hemodynamics and renal function.

This intermediate level course offers respiratory therapists an overview of current polysomnography scoring guidelines as they relate to common sleep disorders. The basic anatomy and physiology of sleep as well as pathophysiology and intervention of sleep disorders are also discussed.

This intermediate-level course begins with a history of tobacco, its availability, and the health effects of tobacco products, then progresses to a detailed discussion on the key aspects of e-cigarettes. The main goal of this course is to provide factual information on tobacco as well as the development, features, use, and positive and negative health effects of e-cigarettes. At the end of this course, clinicians will be able to compare the harms and benefits of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

This advanced-level course is designed for the respiratory therapist with a desire to learn more about the development of the fetus, changes that occur during or shortly after birth, and how to assess and treat the newborn. This course starts with the development of the lungs, discussing the stages of development and lung growth, fetal lung fluid, and, of vital importance, surfactant. Lung development and fetal circulation are also covered. Fetal circulation is unique, with three shunts to aid in fetal development. During and shortly after delivery, many changes must occur to allow the neonate to smoothly transition to the outside world. It is important to know whether the fetus or mother is at risk for developing problems after birth in order to anticipate such issues.

This course presents an overview of lung cancer and updated information for respiratory therapists who work with people at risk for or those diagnosed with lung cancer. In addition, because lung cancer can be a chronic illness, many lung cancer survivors continue to need health care. Lung cancer research continues to focus on prevention, early screening methods, and more effective targeted treatments to improve outcomes and decrease the adverse effects of treatments. Rapid changes in cancer care make it imperative to have current information about prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Oncology-related resources for patients, families, and clinicians are also included.

This advanced - level course is designed for respiratory therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who care for individuals receiving medication for respiratory conditions. This course explains that the important aspect of pharmacology is not to memorize each characteristic of individual medications, but rather to understand the individual pharmacologic classifications that these medications fall into. By understanding these classifications, the actions of newly approved medications will be better understood by practitioners. This course will enable respiratory therapists to stay current with relevant pharmacotherapy.

This intermediate course is designed for respiratory therapists who may encounter infectious diseases related to domestic and international travel. It begins with a discussion of human migration and the spread of diseases, including contributing factors to the spread of infectious diseases. The course then focuses on specific bacterial, viral, fungal, helminth, and other types of infections and diseases, including causes, transmission, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control that may affect travelers.

Audio Book Available | This intermediate level course for healthcare professionals is an introduction into the complex crime of human trafficking, with a focus on sex and labor trafficking and the common symptoms and conditions that occur in trafficked persons. The course provides insights into the facts surrounding human trafficking and relevant health risks for the trafficked person. An audio book is available for this course.

This intermediate-level course is intended for respiratory therapists, nurses, and physicians. The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic principles behind the use of high-frequency ventilation to achieve optimal ventilation and oxygenation in the neonate. The major classifications of high-frequency ventilation (HFV) are discussed along with indications, advantages, disadvantages, and potential hazards associated with its application. Specific HFV strategies for various disease processes are presented, and the course follows with a case study to help bring the information together. This course is useful for clinicians interested in gaining foundational and updated knowledge about HFV use in the neonate.

This course provides a comprehensive coverage of scientific and clinical evidence for successful weaning from mechanical ventilation for respiratory therapists. Major topics in this course include: indications for mechanical ventilation, factors affecting readiness for weaning, clinical considerations, criteria for weaning and discontinuance, monitoring parameters and adverse reactions, progressive withdrawal of mechanical ventilation, and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), SBT procedures and SBT failure. Clinical practice exercise with discussion are also included at the end of this course. Pre-test and post-test questions are used to assess learning outcomes. A list of references is provided as a guide for additional reading.

In coming years, healthcare professionals will face this aging of the population, along with the accompanying health and economic challenges. The purpose of this course is to highlight ethical issues that may confront respiratory care therapists and other healthcare professionals working with older adults and their families as these individuals near the end of life. Many of these issues are related to advances in medical technologies that have occurred over the past several decades (and that continue to be developed) and have led to increasingly complex choices. The course will provide background on ethical frameworks and principles used in healthcare settings for guidance in resolving ethical problems. This course will also identify major ethical issues concerning older adults and healthcare decisions and provide a model for addressing ethical dilemmas in healthcare settings.

Audio Book Available  |  This advanced level course covers the essential ethical principles for respiratory therapists and other healthcare providers. The contents of this course include many ethical issues that respiratory therapists and others may encounter in patient care settings. Additional contents include discussions on professional moral dilemmas, ethical theories (e.g., utilitarianism, deontologic ethics (Kantianism), social contract theory, virtue ethics). Examples are used to illustrate principles that guide ethical decision making. Case studies are used throughout this course to reinforce understanding and learning of the essential ethical principles. An audio book is available for this course.

This intermediate-level course is intended for healthcare professionals, emergency management, and administrators. The information in this course outlines the initial plans to address a multitude of possible variations of disaster. After completing this course, healthcare professionals will have the basic information they need to develop an effective plan for a potential disaster or mass casualty incident. The plan will reflect the facility's ability to adapt to critical environmental and organizational needs and risks.

This intermediate course for respiratory therapists provides a review and update on the current practice of secretion clearance and hyperinflation therapy. Under the main heading of airway secretion clearance, the following topics are covered: direct cough, huff maneuver, autogenic drainage, postural drainage therapy, positioning, percussion, vibration, electrical precursors, high frequency chest wall compression, chest wall oscillation, and PAP adjuncts. Under hyperinflation therapy, topics include deep breathing exercise, incentive spirometry and mechanical assist devices. The effectiveness of these techniques and devices are discussed. The learners should be able to select the appropriate method or equipment for patients to achieve optimal secretion clearance and improved ventilation.

This intermediate level course presents the equipment and techniques used by respiratory therapists for airway suctioning. The indications, contraindications, hazards and complications of suctioning are discussed, along with patient assessments before and after the procedure. Detailed information is provided on types of suction catheters, suctioning procedure, open suctioning and closed suctioning. A clinical case study is included to reinforce learning concepts, and pre- and post-test questions are used to assess learning outcomes. A list of references is provided as a guide for additional reading.

This advanced course begins with an outline and description of the indications, contraindications and complications of a tracheotomy. It follows with a discussion of the surgical procedure, equipment and supplies, and management strategies relating to a tracheotomy. Other important topics in this course include preparation for surgical procedure, position of the tracheostomy tube on chest x-ray, landmarks, Seldinger method, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), routine and emergency tracheostomy tube change. Specialty tracheostomy tubes are also discussed in this course. They include laryngectomy tubes, armored wire spiral-lined tubes, tight-to-shaft tubes, fenestrated tubes, foam cuff tubes, metal tracheostomy tubes, speaking tracheostomy tubes, Olympic Button, Kistner Valve, and Montgomery Valve. Clinical practice exercise and post-test questions are provided to reinforce attainment of learning objectives.