Hemodynamics for Respiratory Therapists
Tracking # 20-900250
Course overview
Hemodynamics refers to the forces affecting circulation, including preload and afterload. Respiratory therapists assess the stability of hemodynamics by monitoring a patient's blood pressure or palpating a pulse. Although the interaction of these forces is quite complex, the concepts can be more easily understood by substituting the word "stretch" for preload and "resistance" for afterload. Preload and afterload are closely related and reflect the heart's effectiveness in managing blood flow in and out of its chambers. This course discusses cardiac output, preload, afterload, and therapies used to treat patients with these cardiac conditions. The goal of this course is to update respiratory therapists knowledge of hemodynamic concepts and appropriate interventions for treating problems associated with preload and afterload.
Subject areas
This course counts toward the state boards and subject areas below.
Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy
Licensed Respiratory Therapist
Florida Board of Respiratory Care
Certified Respiratory Therapist
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Care Practitioner Critical Care
Respiratory Care Practitioner Non-Critical Care
Georgia Composite Medical Board - Respiratory Care Professionals
Respiratory Care Professional
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners - Respiratory Therapy
Certified Respiratory Therapist
Licensed Respiratory Therapist
Registered Respiratory Therapist
MSDOH Bureau of Professional Licensure - Respiratory Care Practitioners
Respiratory Care Practitioner
Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision - Respiratory Care
Respiratory Care Practitioner
Disclosure statements
None of the planners/faculty, unless otherwise noted, for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.