Introduction to Respiratory Care Flashcards

General practice flashcards covering the history, key figures, clinical developments, and professional organizations of respiratory care.

How is respiratory care defined as a health profession?

Respiratory care is the health profession focused on the assessment, treatment, and management of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders.

What specific tasks do respiratory therapists (RTs) apply in clinical practice?

They apply oxygen therapy, aerosol medications, mechanical ventilation, airway management, and perform diagnostic testing such as arterial blood gas analysis and pulmonary function testing.

Who is considered the father of medicine and believed air contained an essential substance distributed by the heart?

Hippocrates (fifth–fourth century BC)

Which historical figure determined that subatmospheric pressures inflate the lungs?

Leonardo da Vinci (1453–1519)

What major discovery did Joseph Black make in 1754?

He described the properties of $CO_2$.

Who discovered oxygen in 1774?

Joseph Priestley

What is the gas law described by Jacques Charles in 1787?

Charles's law, which describes the relationship between gas temperature and volume.

Which gas law was described by John Dalton in 1801?

The law of partial pressures.

What discovery did Robert Koch make in 1882 that established certain postulates?

He discovered the tubercle bacillus.

What was the primary task of technicians in the 1940s, marking the beginning of the respiratory care profession?

Hauling oxygen cylinders and applying oxygen delivery devices.

When did the designation "respiratory therapist" become standard in the profession?

1974

Who developed large-scale $O_2$ production in 1907?

Karl von Linde

What device was developed in the 1960s to allow for the measurement of arterial $PO_2$?

The Clark electrode

Which medication was introduced for asthma treatment in 1910?

Aerosolized epinephrine

Who introduced the iron lung in 1928?

Philip Drinker

Which two individuals are noted for pioneering positive-pressure ventilators like the TV-2P and Mark 7?

Bennett and Bird

Who developed the first water-sealed spirometer in 1846?

John Hutchinson

What is the primary role of the AARC (American Association for Respiratory Care)?

It is the primary professional association that advocates for the profession, sponsors CEUs, and publishes the 'Respiratory Care' journal and 'AARC Times'.

Which organization offers entry-level certification and advanced registry (RRT) examinations for respiratory therapists?

NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care)

What is the function of CoARC (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care)?

It accredits respiratory care education programs.

What was the first professional association for the field, founded in 1947?

The Inhalational Therapy Association (ITA)

In what year did the American Association for Respiratory Therapy (AART) change its name to the AARC?

1982

What year did rapid arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis become available?

1967

What is the primary focus of cardiopulmonary assessment?

To evaluate the functionality of the lungs and heart in patients.

What major event in the 20th century significantly advanced the field of respiratory care?

the introduction of mechanical ventilation during the polio epidemic in the 1950s.

what prompted the establishment of respiratory therapy as a recognized profession?

The need for skilled practitioners to manage patients who required oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and other respiratory treatments effectively.

Who developed the first mechanical ventilator for home use?

Dr. Robert H. McCaffrey, who created the first positive pressure ventilator, the Iron Lung.

What did the publication of the 'Respiratory Care' journal signify for the profession?

It marked the establishment of a formal platform for sharing advancements and research in respiratory care

Which organization played a pivotal role in developing respiratory care education in the U.S.?

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), founded to support and promote educational standards

How did World War II impact the development of respiratory care?

It highlighted the need for trained personnel to manage respiratory issues in injured soldiers, leading to advancements in training and equipment.

What is the significance of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)?

It provides certification and advanced registry examinations for respiratory therapists, ensuring professional competency.

Who are some notable figures in the history of respiratory care?

Figures include Philip Drinker, who introduced the iron lung, and Karl von Linde, who developed large-scale oxygen production.

what was the role of the Inhalational Therapy Association (ITA)?

The ITA, founded in 1947, was the first professional association to focus on respiratory care education and practice.

What were common practices in respiratory care prior to 1974?

Practitioners primarily focused on oxygen delivery rather than comprehensive respiratory assessment and therapy.

How did the American Association for Respiratory Therapy (AART) evolve?

t changed its name to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) in 1982 to better reflect its purpose and scope.

What educational advancements have shaped respiratory care programs?

Increased emphasis on formal education and clinical training, leading to the establishment of accredited respiratory care programs.

What is the significance of respiratory care education in today’s healthcare?

It prepares professionals to evaluate, treat, and manage patients with complex respiratory conditions effectively.

How have clinical areas in respiratory care developed over time?

They have evolved from basic oxygen delivery to include complex mechanical ventilation and pulmonary rehabilitation.

What challenges faced early respiratory therapy training programs?

Limited resources, lack of standardized curricula, and minimal recognition as a distinct profession.

What was the first professional association for the field, founded in 1947?

The Inhalational Therapy Association (ITA)

In what year did the American Association for Respiratory Therapy (AART) change its name to the AARC?

1982

During the epidemics of the 1930s and 1950s, the iron lung was used extensively at a treatment for what disease?

Polio.