1.

TITLE OF COURSE:

CRITICAL CARE I

PREFIX/NUMBER:

RCA 230

CREDIT HOURS:

2

2.

PREREQUISITE:

RCA 152 or consent of instructor

Pueblo Community College                                     

4.

RESOURCES NEEDED:

TEXT:

Mechanical Ventilation - Physiological and Clinical Applications, 3rd ed. by Susan Pilbeam

Workbook to Accompany Mechanical Ventialtion, by F. Ross Payne

Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care by Wilkins, Stoller, Scanlan.

Egan's Fundamentals of Respiratory Care Study Guide.  by Wehrman

Laboratory Exercises for Competency in Respiratory Care, by Thomas Butler

SUPPLIES:

The course is focused on the care of critically ill patients. Topics include advanced pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology, assessment and monitoring of acute and chronic respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, and emergency respiratory care. The laboratory portion of the class will include an opportunity for the student to develop skills essential for the assessment and treatment of the critically ill.

6.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

a.

Unit Exams (5) - 50 %

Exams will be given at the end of each unit. Each exam will be given via either WebCT or paper in class.  Each exam may contain a mixture of multiple choice, short answer, matching and true/false questions.

b.

Final Examination (1) -20%

A comprehensive final examination will cover all topics discussed in the course.  Questions will be of the same type as the module exams.

c.

Workbook  and  Homework Assignments/Lab-30%

All workbook assignments will correspond to the readings in the textbook. Homework will be assigned by the instructor. Work book and homework assignments will be due as indicated by instructor.  Students also be required to attend lab sessions during the term to obtain hands-on education with the basics of mechanical ventilation.

Grading Scale

Raw Score Range

Letter Grade

100

to

93

A

92

to

85

B

84

to

75

C

74

to

69

D

68

to

0

F

All major exams will be given on a scheduled date determined by the instructor. Since class attendance is a self-evident maxim, makeup exams will only be extended to those students who contact the instructor before the class and as outline in the student handbook. Students whom fail to contact the instructor before class will not be allowed to take the exam.

SPECIAL REMARKS

1.

Attendance: The attendance policy of the Respiratory Care Program will be the same as the Pueblo Community College’s.

2.

Tardy policy: If a student does not notify the instructor prior to the beginning of the class that he/she will be tardy, the student will be unexcused. Two (3) tardies will equal one (1) absence.  The student will be allowed to take quizzes or exams, however, will only be allowed the remaining time of the class period to take the class. After the second tardy during a quiz or exam, the student will only receive a maximum of 75% of the total points for the exam or quiz. Students are expected to discuss with the instructor the reason for the tardiness.

3.

Assignments/Missed Exams: If a student is going to be absent during an exam, the student must call the instructor prior to the class period and make arrangements at that time to take the exam or quiz prior to the next class meeting unless other arrangements are made. If the student does not call the instructor prior to missing the test, they will not be allowed to make up the exam or quiz. A student is only allowed an excused absence from one major exam during the term. Absences from additional exams will not be allowed to be made up. If a student has an excused absence and misses the assignment then the student must make arrangements to get the assignment from the instructor prior to the next class period. The student will not be allowed to make up an assignment on an unexcused absence. No late assignments will be accepted.

4.

The student is expected to meet with the instructor if he/she does not understand the material.

5.

Failure to pass this class with a 75% or above will result in the student being placed on a probationary status for the remainder of the program, and will be required to adhere to the probation guidelines. A student earning below 70% in this class will automatically be dropped from the program.

6.

The student is expected to spend 2-3 hours per credit hour preparing for class and reading the assignments.

8.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

To be successful in this course, students are expected to participate in discussions, readings, lectures, and lab activities. The instructor may assign point values to such activities.

9.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College has adopted a policy of academic conduct as described in the Student Handbook. Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, and personal misrepresentation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Sanctions for violating the standards of academic integrity may include warning, probation, suspension, and/or failure of the course or assignment at the discretion of the instructor.

10.

ADA NOTICE:

Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.