Respiratory Therapy
10 courses · Victor Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
RSPT 50 Polysomnography I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
Topics include sleep terminology, sleep structure and disorders, complete polysomnography patient set-up and data acquisition. Students will also learn the basics of noninvasive treatments for certain sleep disorders.
RSPT 221 Basic Cardiopulmonary Clinical Practicum
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 162 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- RSPT 90 or RSPT 231, Minimum grade C
Clinic-based practicum in which students perform a variety of cardiopulmonary assessments and therapies appropriate to their level in the respiratory therapy and echocardiography courses. Students present case studies based on patient-information gathering that include history and physical, review of systems, rationale for diagnostics and treatment, vital signs, medical history, questionnaire, scores, treatments, and study data. .
RSPT 222 Advance Cardiopulmonary Clinical Practicum and Case Studies
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 162 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- RSPT 233, Minimum grade C
Critical care clinic-based practicum in which students perform a variety of cardiopulmonary assessments and therapies. Students present case studies based on critical care patient-information gathering that include history and physical, review of systems, rationale for diagnostics and treatment, vital signs, medical history, questionnaire, scores, treatments, and study data. .
RSPT 230 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
Course introduces the student to respiratory therapy as a health science profession including history, professional requirements, responsibilities, professional organizations, and credentialing of the respiratory care practitioner. Provides basic anatomy and physiology, physics and math, and basic cardiopulmonary pathology to provide the student a foundation of theory and application. Offered summer. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Respiratory Therapy Program.
RSPT 231 Basic Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy
- Units
- 10
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours; 324 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- RSPT 230, Minimum grade C
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces respiratory therapy students to basic physical assessment, infection control, clinical applications of basic therapeutic and diagnostic modalities, chart review and documentation. Students are provided with an extensive orientation to the hospital environment and administration of basic respiratory therapy to clients.
RSPT 232 Patient Assessment & Clinical Application of Respiratory Therapy
- Units
- 10
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours; 324 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- RSPT 231, Minimum grade C
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course expands the theory and application of respiratory therapy introduced in RSPT 230 and 231. Course content includes advanced cardiac life support and airway management, advanced assessment of cardiopulmonary pathology, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, home care, transport, patient education, medical ethics. Content also includes thorough discussion of labs, imaging, ECG, and pharmacology. The student will spend 24 hours per week in the hospital administering respiratory modalities. Offered Spring semester.
RSPT 233 Intensive Respiratory Therapy Care
- Units
- 13
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours; 486 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- (BIOL 211 or BIOL 231 Minimum grade C) and (RSPT 239)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course expands the theory and application of respiratory therapy introduced in RSPT 232. Content includes advanced modalities such as mechanical ventilation, systemic assessment of the intensive care patient, advanced cardiopulmonary physiology and pathology.
RSPT 234 Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Therapy Care and Related Pathophysiology
- Units
- 13
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours; 486 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- (BIOL 221, Minimum grade C) and (RSPT 233)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is an advanced study of the theory and application of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. The content will include: mechanical ventilatory support, advanced cardiopulmonary pathophysiology, equipment used in NICU and PICU, umbilical line and capillary blood sampling and analysis, endotracheal intubation, and principles of PALS and NRP.
RSPT 239 Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation Support
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- RSPT 232, Minimum grade C
This course introduces the principals of mechanical ventilation, allows hands-on experience with current ventilators, and reinforces therapeutic care.
RSPT 243 Clinical Simulation
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- RSPT 233, Minimum grade C or CRT/RCP credentials with "registry eligibility" as designated by the NBRC/RCB.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will prepare individuals for the National Board of Respiratory Care's (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) and Clinical Simulation examinations. Those already certified (Certified Respiratory Therapist) and designated registry eligible by the NBRC will be able to review, evaluate, and improve their clinical assessment, decision making, and test taking skills.