Fundamentals of Respiratory Care - Chapters 1-2: Early History and Profession Overview

Ten QA flashcards covering history, scope, practice settings, credentials, and professional structure of respiratory care.

What is the primary focus of respiratory care?

Promotion of cardiopulmonary function and health.

Approximately what percentage of RTs work in hospital acute care settings?

About 75%.

How many respiratory therapists are practicing in the United States according to the notes?

Approximately 191,000.

Who were the first health specialists in the respiratory field in the 1940s?

Oxygen technicians.

What development occurred during World War II that affected respiratory care?

Positive pressure developed.

When did education programs for respiratory therapy begin to develop?

In the 1960s.

In what year did respiratory therapists become standard?

1974.

Name two broad categories of activities that RTs perform.

Diagnostic activities and therapeutic activities.

List two examples of RT diagnostic activities.

Obtaining and analyzing physiological specimens; interpreting physiological data.

What are the two main credential levels for general practice in respiratory care?

CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) and RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist).