Rockingham Community College

Respiratory Therapy Program

Course Descriptions

Classroom / Laboratory Courses

RCP 110 / Introduction to Respiratory Care

4 credit hours

6 hours class / 6 hours lab per week

1st semester

This course introduces the respiratory care profession. Topics include the role of the respiratory care practitioner, medical gas administration, basic patient assessment, infection control, and medical terminology. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in concepts and procedures through written and laboratory evaluations. Additionally, the course will address basic theories and applications related to physics and mathematics for the respiratory care practitioner.

RCP 111 / Therapeutics and Diagnostics

5 credit hours

4 hours class / 3 hours lab per week

2nd semester

This course is a continuation of RCP 110. Emphasis is placed on entry-level therapeutic and diagnostic procedures used in respiratory care. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in concepts and procedures through written and laboratory evaluations. Discussion will include selection of modalities appropriate to the patient's pathophysiological condition, as well as therapeutic procedures and equipment utilized to deliver effective respiratory care.

RCP 112 / Patient Management

4 credit hours

3 hours class / 3 hours lab per week

3rd semester

This course provides entry-level skills in adult/pediatric mechanical ventilation and respiratory care procedures in traditional and alternative settings. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic modalities and physiological effects of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, home care, mechanical ventilation, and monitoring. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in concepts and procedures through written and laboratory evaluations. The course focuses on initiating appropriate modalities, as well as evaluating or modifying the respiratory care plan or life-support appropriate to the patient's condition.

RCP 113 / Pharmacology

2 credit hours

2 hours class per week

2nd semester

This course covers the drugs used in the treatment of cardiopulmonary diseases. Emphasis is placed on the uses, actions, indications, administration, and hazards of pharmacological agents. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence through written evaluations. Additionally, the course will identify current pharmacological approaches used to treat most cardiopulmonary diseases, dysfunctions, and abnormalities.

RCP 114 / Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology

3 credit hours

3 hours class per week

3rd semester

This course provides a concentrated study of cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology essential to the practice of respiratory care. Emphasis is placed on cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology, acid/base balance, and blood gas interpretation. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in these concepts through written evaluations. A focus will be placed on integrating theory and clinical application of ventilation, perfusion, gas transport, diffusion, blood pH, homeostasis, hemodynamics, and the heart-lung relationship.

RCP 115 / Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology

2 credit hours

2 hours class per week

3rd semester

This course introduces the etiology, pathogenesis, and physiology of cardiopulmonary diseases and disorders. Emphasis is placed on clinical signs and symptoms along with diagnoses, complications, prognoses, and management. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in these concepts through written evaluations. The course will additionally provide a comprehensive overview of microbiology with an emphasis and focus on cardiopulmonary diseases.

RCP 210 / Critical Care Concepts

4 credit hours

6 hours class / 6 hours lab per week

4th semester

This course provides further refinement of acute patient care and underlying pathophysiology. Topics include a continuation in the study of mechanical ventilation, underlying pathophysiology, and introduction to critical care monitoring. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in concepts through written and laboratory evaluations. Advanced cardiopulmonary procedures and clinical techniques will be examined, utilized, and interpreted to determine appropriate life-support measures or patient care plans.

RCP 211 / Advanced Monitoring / Procedures

4 credit hours

3 hours class / 3 hours lab per week

5th semester

This course includes advanced information gathering and decision making for the respiratory care professional. Topics include advanced cardiac monitoring and special procedures. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate, design, and recommend appropriate care plans through written and laboratory evaluations. Emphasis will be placed on comprehension and interpretation of invasive and non-invasive diagnostic cardiopulmonary procedures, as well as consequent initiation or modification of therapeutic modalities.

RCP 213 / Neonatal / Pediatric Concepts

2 credit hours

2 hours class per week

5th semester

This course provides an in-depth coverage of the concepts of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. Emphasis is placed on neonatal and pediatric pathophysiology, and on the special therapeutic needs of neonates and children. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence through written examinations. Topics unique to pediatrics and neonatology will be examined including anatomy and physiology, fetal development, clinical assessment, oxygen therapy, airway management, mechanical ventilation, and resuscitation.

RCP 215 / Career Prep-Adv Level                                                        

1 credit hour

3 hours lab per week

6th semester                                                                    

This course provides preparation for employment and the advanced-level practitioner credentialing exam.  Emphasis is placed on review of the NBRC Advanced-Level Practitioner Exam and supervision and management.  Upon completion, students should be able to successfully complete the appropriate self-assessment examinations and meet the requirements for employment.  Students will be required to successfully complete the NBRC written registry for self-assessment examination during this course. 

RCP 233 / Special Practice Lab

1 credit hour

3 hours lab per week

6th semester  

Clinical Courses

RCP 133 / Clinical Practice I

3 credit hours

9 clinical hours per week

2nd semester

This course provides entry-level clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic and diagnostic patient care. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate clinical competence in required performance evaluations. The course will focus on the development of basic clinical skills including patient assessment, infection control, medical gas therapy, documentation, and chart review.

RCP 144 / Clinical Practice II

4 credit hours

12 clinical hours per week

3rd semester

This course provides entry-level clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic and diagnostic patient care. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate clinical competence in required performance evaluations. The course will focus on the refinement of current skills and competencies plus new cardiopulmonary or patient care procedures introduced during the semester.

RCP 152 / Clinical Practice III

2 credit hours

12 clinical hours per week

4th semester

This course provides entry-level clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic and diagnostic patient care. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate clinical competence in required performance evaluations. The course will focus on the refinement of current skills and competencies plus new cardiopulmonary or patient care procedures introduced during the semester.

RCP 234 / Clinical Practice IV

4 credit hours

12 clinical hours per week

5th semester

This course provides advanced practitioner clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic and diagnostic patient care. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate clinical competence in required performance evaluations. The course will focus on the refinement of current skills and competencies plus new cardiopulmonary or patient care procedures introduced during the semester.

RCP 248 / Clinical Practice V

8 credit hours

24 clinical hours per week

6th semester

This course provides advanced practitioner clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on therapeutic and diagnostic patient care. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate clinical competence in required performance evaluations. The course will focus on the refinement of current skills and competencies plus new cardiopulmonary or patient care procedures introduced during the semester.