Managing Difficult Patients for Healthcare Professionals

Course overview

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. Anatomy will be covered beginning with a description of the upper airway and the lower airway, followed by a discussion of lung structures. A description of the airways, alveoli, and the alveolar-capillary membrane is then provided along with a discussion regarding systemic and pulmonary circulation. Physiology related to the pulmonary system and neural control of the lungs is then described. The process of bulk air movement, lung volumes, and lung capacities are discussed. Dead space, expansion, and diffusion are also presented. The course concludes with a description of O2 transport, CO2 transport, and acid-base balance.