List of Courses

RET 102 Mechanics of Disease (3 credits)

Introductory pathology, including medical terminology, general principles of disease, and overview of common diseases encountered in the hospitalized patient. Basic symptoms of disease and patient monitoring. Introduction to universal precautions in preventing spread of disease. Prerequisite: RET matriculation or Permission of Department. Fall semesters only.

RET 103 Respiratory Physiology (3 credits)

Basic function of the respiratory system, including thoracic, pulmonary, and cardiovascular anatomy; mechanics of ventilation; pulmonary perfusion; gas exchange and transport; control of respiration; and introduction to acid/base interpretation. Prerequisite: RET matriculation or Permission of Instructor. Spring semesters only.

RET 105 Respiratory Care Practice I (2 credits)

Basic respiratory care procedures, including patient assessment, gas delivery, bronchial hygiene therapy, and respiratory pharmacology. Complements the clinical sequence. Prerequisite: RET matriculation or Permission of Department; co-requisite: RET 105L. Spring semesters only.

RET 105R Respiratory Care Practice I Recitation (1 EQ)

Optional recitation for RET 105. This course provides an opportunity for students to apply the theory, concepts, and problem-solving techniques presented in RET 105 Respiratory Practice I. Co-requisite: RET 105.

RET 118 Clinical Internship I (3 credits)

Supervised clinical practice in basic patient care techniques in the hospital setting. Prerequisite/co-requisite: RET matriculation or Permission of Department. Spring semesters only.

RET 125 Respiratory Care Practicum (1 credit)

Basic care of airways, ECG interpretation, arterial blood gas interpretation, chest radiograph interpretation and pulmonary function testing. Prerequisite: All RET courses numbered 118 and below; co-requisite: RET 125L. Summer sessions only.

RET 125R Respiratory Care Practice II Recitation (1EQ)

Optional recitation for RET 125. This course provides an opportunity for students to apply the theory, concepts, and problem-solving techniques presented in RET 125 Respiratory Care Practice II. Co-requisite: RET 125.

RET 128 Clinical Internship II (3 credits)

Supervised laboratory and hospital practice in basic intensive care techniques. Primary topics include ventilator management and clinical applications, arterial blood gases, and airway care. Minor topics include electrocardiography and phlebotomy. Prerequisites: RET 105 and 118, or Permission of Department.

RET 203 Respiratory Care Practice III (3 credits)

This is a continuation course in respiratory care practice. This course addresses neonatal respiratory care, home care of the respiratory patient, pulmonary rehabilitation, and critical thinking for entry-level national board exams. Prerequisites: RET 125 and 128, or Permission of Department. Optional recitation: RET 203R.

RET 203R Respiratory Practice III - Recitation (1EQ)

Optional recitation for RET 203. This course provides an opportunity for students to apply the theory, concepts, and problem-solving techniques presented in RET 203, Respiratory Care Practice III. Co-requisite: RET 203.

RET 204 Respiratory Practice IV (3 credits)

This is a continuation course in respiratory care practice. This course addresses professional organizations, health care reimbursement, political action, state licensure, and critical thinking for advanced-level national board examinations. Additional topics will be selected from current clinical practice guidelines published by the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC). Prerequisites: RET 203 and 213, or Permission of Department. Optional recitation: RET 204R.

RET 204R Respiratory Practice IV Recitation (1EQ)

Optional recitation for RET 204. This course provides an opportunity for students to apply the theory, concepts, and problem solving techniques presented in RET 204 Respiratory Practice IV. Co-requisite: RET 204.

RET 205 Cardiovascular Physiology and Disease (3 credits)

Anatomy and function of the cardiovascular system, cardiovascular disease, assessment and diagnostic techniques, and care of the patient with cardiovascular disorders. Prerequisite: All RET courses numbered 139 and below or Permission of Instructor. Spring semesters only.

RET 206 Acid-Base Physiology (3 credits)

Regulation of acid-base balance in the body, with emphasis on the interpretation of acid-base disorders, fluid and electrolyte balance, and their inter-relationship. Prerequisite: RET 103 or Permission of Department. Fall semesters only.

RET 207 Diagnostic Techniques (3 credits)

Theory, significance, and methodology of various diagnostic studies used in the assessment of pulmonary function. Techniques discussed include basic spirometry, flow/volume tests, lung volume determination, diffusion capacity, tests of small airways disease, nutritional assessment and sleep disorders. Prerequisite: All 100-level RET courses or Permission of Department. Fall semesters only.

RET 213 Sophomore Clinical Internship I (3 credits)

This clinical course gives the respiratory care student clinical experience in caring for neonatal patients and adult patients with chronic respiratory disease. It includes observation, rotations in sleep disorders, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Prerequisites/co-requisites: RET 205, 206 and all 100-level RET courses. Usually offered spring semesters.

RET 214 Sophomore Clinical Internship II (3 credits)

Clinical application of homodynamic and other cardiopulmonary monitoring; also, practice in the methodology of pulmonary function testing. Seminars include lectures on the various observation rotations. Prerequisite: all 100-level RET courses; prerequisites/co-requisites: RET 205 and 206. Usually offered fall semesters.