RCMS 532 - Critical Care and Mechanical Ventilation I (3)

Provides instruction in the theory, set-up, operation and maintenance of mechanical ventilators and related equipment, including noninvasive ventilators. Topics include: mechanical ventilator theory, ventilator operation, ventilator maintenance and troubleshooting. Provides instruction on all phases of adult critical care and continuous mechanical ventilation. The history of mechanical ventilation, modes of mechanical ventilatory support, implementation, monitoring, ventilator weaning and discontinuance will be covered. Advanced critical care techniques for invasive and non-invasive patient monitoring will be covered. Hemodynamic monitoring will include arterial pressure monitoring, central venous and pulmonary artery catheters, and cardiac output measurement. Non-invasive monitoring techniques such as oximetry, capnography, and ECG monitoring will be included. Prereqs: RCMS 520 and RCMS 526.