Respiratory therapist

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Respiratory Therapist[edit | edit source]

A Respiratory Therapist performing a lung function test

Introduction[edit | edit source]

A Respiratory Therapist (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee THAYR-uh-pist) is a healthcare professional specializing in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating people with respiratory and lung disorders.

Education and Training[edit | edit source]

Respiratory therapists undergo specialized training, typically earning an associate or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy. They learn about:

  • Pulmonary function
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • Respiratory care procedures

Certification and Licensure[edit | edit source]

In many regions, respiratory therapists must pass a national exam to become certified and licensed. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) offers credentialing in this field.

Roles and Responsibilities[edit | edit source]

Respiratory therapists work in various settings, including:

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Home health care

Their responsibilities encompass:

  • Assessing and treating patients with breathing or other lung disorders
  • Administering oxygen, aerosolized medications, and mechanical ventilation
  • Conducting pulmonary function tests

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Respiratory therapists play a critical role in the care of patients with:

  • Chronic respiratory diseases like Asthma
  • Acute respiratory emergencies
  • COPD

Working with Other Healthcare Professionals[edit | edit source]

They collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement comprehensive respiratory care plans.

Ethical and Professional Standards[edit | edit source]

Respiratory therapists adhere to high ethical and professional standards, ensuring patient safety and the highest quality of care.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Oakes, D. F. (2015). Respiratory Care: Principles and Practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  2. Des Jardins, T., & Burton, G. G. (2016). Clinical Manifestations and Assessment of Respiratory Disease. Elsevier Health Sciences.

See Also[edit | edit source]


Respiratory therapist Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

WikiMD.png


WikiMD is the world's largest, free medical and wellness encyclopedia edited only by professionals. Advertise!



Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.