RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF MARY/ST. ALEXIUS MEDICAL CENTER

FALL 2016
COURSE SYLLABUS
I.

COURSE # & TITLE:

II.

CREDITS:

RTH 335 Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology

Six (6) credit hours

III. INSTRUCTOR:

Will Beachey, PhD, RRT, FAARC

Office: Education/Technology Building
Telephone: 530-7757 (office); 400-5327 (cell)
E-mail: wbeachey@primecare.org
Office hours: M-W-F 12 PM-1PM or as arranged
IV. PREREQUISITES: Bio 207-208 (college-level human anatomy and physiology courses)
V. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the application of cardiopulmonary
and renal physiological concepts in the clinical setting. Physiological compensatory
mechanisms and the interactive role of the cardiopulmonary and renal systems are major
topics. Emphasis is placed on the use of physiological concepts to understand and solve
hypothetical clinical problems.
VI. GENERAL COURSE OUTCOMES: Upon completion of the course, students will be
able to:
1. Explain how the functions of pulmonary, cardiovascular and renal systems are integrated
and complement one another in maintaining overall body homeostasis
2. Interpret cardiopulmonary physiological monitoring data
3. Collaborate with peers to integrate medical history, signs, symptoms, and physiological
measurement and monitoring data to generate diagnostic hypotheses and formulate a
rational plan of care and medical intervention
VII.

CONTENT OUTLINE:
Section I: The Respiratory System
A.
Airways and Alveoli
B. Lungs and Chest Wall
C. Mechanics of Ventilation
D. Ventilation
E. Pulmonary Function Measurements
F. Pulmonary Blood Flow
G. Gas Diffusion
H. Oxygen Equilibrium and Transport
I. Carbon-Dioxide Equilibrium and Transport
J. Acid-Base Regulation
K. Control of Ventilation
L. Ventilation-Perfusion Relationships
M. Clinical Assessment of Acid-Base/Oxygenation Status

RTH 335 Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology

N.
O.

Section II: The Cardiovascular System

A. Functional Anatomy
B. Cardiac Electrophysiology
C. Electrocardiogram and Arrhythmias
D. Control of Cardiac Output

P.
Q.

Section III: The Renal System

A.
Functional Anatomy
B.
Urine Formation and Control
C.
Acid-Base and Electrolyte Regulation
R.

S.

VIII.
T.
U.
V.
W.
X.

LEARNING RESOURCES:
1.
Textbooks:
Beachey W. Respiratory care anatomy and physiology: foundations for clinical
practice, St. Louis, 2013, Mosby-Elsevier. Companion EVOLVE website:
register as a student at http://evolve.elsevier.com/enroll
Course ID for EVOLVE site: 14333_wbeachey2_1001
Hughes EA, Sperle CK. Workbook: Respiratory care anatomy and physiology:
foundations for clinical practice, St. Louis, 2013, Mosby-Elsevier. (Exercises to
be completed as assigned for in-class discussion.)

Y.
2.
Z.

Concept Questions:
Concept Questions from the textbook will be reviewed in selected class sessions.
You are expected to be able to discuss these questions in class. Answers to
concept questions are available though the EVOLVE web site (see #1 above).

AA.
AB.
AC.

3.
Clinical Focus Topics:
Clinical Focus scenarios appear throughout each chapter in the text to help you
connect physiological concepts to the practical clinical setting. You are expected
to read and study these topics and bring questions to class.

AD.
AE.
AG.

AF.
IX.

4.

Quizzes: Short chapter quizzes online; discuss as necessary in class.

INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:

A. Read assigned material and be prepared to participate in class. (After reading
the class schedule (last pages of this syllabus), refer to the textbook Table of
Contents for relevant chapters.)
B. Work through workbook exercises.
C. Think critically about the subject matter; respectfully question/challenge
classmates and the instructor.
D. Seek help when having difficulty understanding the material; see the
instructor as often as needed to clarify material.

RTH 335 Clinical Cardiopulmonary Physiology

X. ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT:
AH. Method:
AI.
Grades will be assigned based on: (1) performance on written quizzes and examinations,
including a comprehensive final, (combined 85% of the course grade) and on (2) a
clinical problem-solving group project near the end of the course (15% of the course
grade). Only final grades A through C are acceptable for continuing in the
Respiratory Therapy Program. (A single test score below 70% does not by itself indicate
failure; see the Student Handbook.) Course grade components are as follows:
AJ.
AK. Unit Exams
70%
AL. Quizzes
10%
AM. PBL project
20%

AN.
AO.
AP.
AQ.
AR.
AS.

The grading scale is:

90-100%
A
80-89%
B
70-79%
C*
*(Overall course grade must be at least a C to continue in the Program.)

AT.

BC.
BD.
BE.
BF.

AU. Comprehensive Final Exam:

AV.
The comprehensive final examination at the end of the semester must be
passed with a grade of C or higher to continue in the program, even if the
cumulative grade average is greater than a C. If less than a C is earned, one retake exam is allowed; the maximum achievable score on a re-take exam is 70%. Retakes must be scheduled before the Christmas break begins.
AW.
AX. Unit Exam Schedule and Policy on Absence for a Unit Exam
AY. Exam dates and times appear on a separate schedule at the end of this syllabus.
There are generally NO MAKE-UP EXAMS except for instructor-excused absences.
An unexcused absence (no call-no show) on a testing day will result in a score of zero
for the missed exam. Certain uncontrollable circumstances (acute illness [personal or
family], death in the immediate family, accidents, participation in a wedding ceremony,
etc.) are special exceptions to this exam policy; however, you must personally notify the
course instructor (i.e. not through classmates or other faculty members) of your
circumstances to qualify for a possible exception. Vacation plans, family holiday
plans, other personal schedules, etc. do not qualify for an exception to this policy;
please make travel plans accordingly.
AZ. Please do not accept or arrange personal appointments, (physician, dental etc.) that
conflict with class schedules. The instructors decisions regarding exceptions are final.
BA. Examinations are generally objective (multiple choice and matching questions).
Exams also contain short-answer fill-in-the-blank questions, short essay questions, and
questions that require mathematical calculations. You are responsible for course content
covered in class as well as content of reading, homework or computer tutorial
assignments even if not discussed in class. Therefore please bring questions from your
readings to class to ensure your understanding.
BB.
XI.
REMEDIATION:
Students having difficulty comprehending the subject matter as indicated by exam
scores should make an appointment with the instructor to discuss remediation options.
The instructor is available by appointment to assist students individually or in groups.

XII. STUDENT ASSESSMENT OF COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR:

BG. You are requested to evaluate the course and the instructor at the end of the
semester using the University of Mary faculty evaluation process.
BH.
BI.
XIII. POLICY ON ACADEMIC HONESTY:
BJ.
Please refer to the University of Mary Student Handbook, section on Selected
Academic Policies: Academic Honesty for additional information. Any student who is

found to breach this policy while enrolled in a course will be formally notified by the
instructor and the action will be recorded in the students file. Any student who appears
to be cheating on examinations will automatically fail the examination and will jeopardize
his or her standing in the program.
BK.
BL.
XIV. CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION RELATING TO THIS
COURSE:
BM. Instructor > Department/Program/Chair (as appropriate to the program of
study) > Dean > Assistant VP Academic Affairs > VP Academic Affairs
BN. Students may appeal the ruling of a Dean based on the discovery of new evidence
previously unavailable or a significant irregularity in the procedural process which could
affect the outcome of the finding by the Dean. The appeal must take place within 30 days
of the decision by the Dean. Students appeal to the Assistant Vice President for Academic
Affairs (AVPAA). General dissatisfaction with the decision of the Dean or assigned
alternate is not sufficient grounds to appeal the decision to the AVPAA. For more
information, please review the Academic Appeals Process located in the university catalog.
BO.
BP.
XV. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
BQ. Students with disabilities who need accommodations should apply to the Office of
Student Accessibility Services. Applications need not be in writing. For further
information, contact the Director of Student Accessibility Services in the Benedictine
Center for Student Leadership, at (701)355-8264.
http://www.umary.edu/umlife/student_services/accessibility/.
BR.
BS.
XVI. COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
BT.
Learning objectives appear at the beginning of each chapter in the textbook. Use
these objectives to assess your understanding of the material and to help you prepare for
exams.
BU.
BV.
BW.
BX.
BY.
BZ.
CA.
CB.
CC.
CD.
CE.
CF.
CG.
CH.
CI.
CJ.
CK.
CL.

DE.
DG.
DH.
DI.
DJ.
DK.
DL.
DM.
DN.
DO.
DP.
DQ.
DR.
DS.
DT.
DU.
DV.
DW.
DX.
DY.
DZ.
EA.
EB.
EC.
ED.
EE.
EF.

CM.
CN.
CO.
CP.
CQ.
CR.
CS.
CT.
CU.
CV.
CW.
CX.
CY.
CZ.
DA.
DB.
DC.
DD.
RTH 335 FALL 2016 CLASS SCHEDULE 1
DF.(Subject to change)

SEPTEMBER
7
Intro.; Upper/lower airway anatomy
9
Airway histology; alveoli
12
Lung & chest wall anatomy, innervations
14
Lung & chest wall anatomy, innervation
16
Ventilatory muscles; static lung/chest wall mechanics
19
Static & dynamic lung mechanics
21
Static & dynamic lung mechanics
23
Ventilation
26
Ventilation; pulmonary function measurements
28
EXAM # 1
30
Pulmonary blood flow
OCTOBER
3
Pulmonary blood flow
5
Gas diffusion
7
Oxygen equilibrium & transport
10
Carbon dioxide equilibrium & transport
12
EXAM # 2
14
Acid-base regulation
17
Acid-base regulation
19
Control of Ventilation
21
Control of ventilation
24
V/Q relationship & arterial blood gases
26
EXAM # 3
FALL BREAK OCT 27-30NO CLASSES
31
Clinical Assessment of acid-base & oxygenation

EG.
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EI.
EJ.
EK.
EL.
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FA.
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PM)
FD.

NOVEMBER
2
Clinical Assessment of acid-base & oxygenation
4
Anatomy of the cardiovascular system
7
Anatomy of the cardiovascular system
9
EXAM # 4
11
Electrophysiology
14
Electrophysiology
16
ECG & Arrhythmias
18
Exam #5
21
Hemodynamics
NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING BREAK, Nov. 23Nov. 27
28
Hemodynamics
30
Renal regulation of acid-base/electrolyte/fluid balance
DECEMBER
2
Renal regulation of acid-base/electrolyte/fluid balance
5
Renal regulation of acid-base/electrolyte/fluid balance
7
Exam 6
9
Case Studies Practice
12
Catch-up if needed
14
Clinical Problem Solving: Group Project
16
Final Exam Review
19
FINAL EXAM WEEK (Physiology Final Mon. Dec. 19, 9:00 AM12
FE.

CHRISTMAS BREAK: DEC. 22 (after exams) Jan. 9, 2017

FF.
FG.
Schedule Subject to Change