Gas Exchange
Bohr Effect
When you’re out of breath and panicked, your body will release more oxygen to help with metabolizing tissue. Your muscles are screaming for life-giving air; the Bohr effect is just what you need. The Bohr […]
Blog
Lung Disease
5 Things Respiratory Therapists Should Know About Bronchiectasis
RRT Board Exam Alert! The NBRC recently updated the RRT board exam simulation content respiratory therapy students will be tested on beginning January 15, 2020. One of the changes includes the addition of bronchiectasis into […]
Lung Disease
7 Things Respiratory Therapists Should Know About Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a fairly uncommon condition that shares very similar symptoms to other lung diseases such as COPD and asthma. These symptoms may include a reduction in exercise tolerance, shortness of breath, recurrent […]
Respiratory Calculations
Understanding Oxygenation: The Alveolar-arterial Gradient
Formula: PAO2 – PaO2 = P(A-a)O2 The Alveolar-arterial gradient (A-a gradient) is a mathematical equation that calculates how difficult it is for oxygen to cross the alveolar-capillary membrane. The equation utilizes two pressures; The partial […]
Hypoxemia
5 Causes of Hypoxemia Every Respiratory Therapy Student Must Know
Hypoxemia is one of the most common conditions that a respiratory care practitioner will come across in their career. In fact, some days it might seem like everybody in the hospital has it. It is […]
NBRC RRT Board Exams
How to Pass the NBRC RRT Exam Information Gathering Section: When to order and how to interpret the CBC
The complete blood count (CBC) is a frequent option on the NBRC Clinical Simulation Exam. When appropriate to order, the CBC will often be worth +1 point as part of the Information Gathering section. The […]
NBRC RRT Board Exams
How to Pass the NBRC Clinical Simulation Exam Information Gathering Section Using this 4 Stage Strategy
Ahh, the NBRC’s dreaded Clinical Sims Examination, a one way ticket to a full-blown panic attack for any fresh RT graduate hoping to earn their RRT. Luckily there are methods that can help you navigate […]
Pulmonary Rehab
The 6-Minute Walk Test
You have probably heard of 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in your travels as a respiratory therapy student, and thought: “I wish a benevolent, handsome instructor would write a paper about that.” Well today is your lucky day! Well, at least as far as the benevolent part. […]
NBRC RRT Board Exams
Important Changes Coming to The National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) Credentialing Exams
The NBRC has instituted new changes to the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) (opens in a new tab)”>Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC) and the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) starting on January 15, 2020. The new TMC Detailed […]
Mechanical ventilation
Hazards of Mechanical Ventilation
Complications associated with mechanical ventilation are primarily related to the use of positive pressure applied to the lungs and the artificial airways required to provide invasive ventilation. Positive pressure not only damages sensitive lung tissue […]