We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Respiratory Therapy?

By K T Solis
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 19,717
Share

Respiratory therapy is a career field that involves the study and treatment of diseases that relate to the lungs or cardiovascular system. Medical professionals who work in this field are called respiratory therapists. These specially trained therapists monitor lung function in patients, administer oxygen, manage mechanical ventilators, administer medication, and other important tasks that improve the breathing quality of their patients.

Respiratory therapists work under the immediate supervision of doctors, but the therapists have the primary responsibility of administering therapeutic treatments to patients. The therapist may work with patients in a variety of age ranges, from infants to elderly patients. People with asthma, emphysema, or other lung conditions often receive attention from a respiratory therapist. Patients who have suffered from a heart attack or stroke may receive emergency care from a respiratory therapist as well.

In order to help patients, the respiratory therapist will evaluate their medical condition. For example, the therapist will perform a physical exam. The exam often includes testing the patient's breathing capacity by asking him or her to breathe into a special instrument that measures the flow of oxygen as the patient inhales and exhales. The therapist may also draw blood from the patient in order to check the patient's blood pH level, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.

When a person is diagnosed with a respiratory disease, the therapist will sometimes teach the patient how to use aerosol medication, instructing the patient how to inhale the mist from the medication inhaler. If the patient needs oxygen, the doctor will instruct the therapist to treat the patient through use of an oxygen mask. Patients who are unable to breathe independently will be attached to a ventilator by the respiratory therapist. The ventilator provides oxygen to the lungs in order to sustain the life of the patient.

Anyone who wishes to work in respiratory therapy as a respiratory therapist will need to first earn a high school diploma. Upon graduating from high school, the prospective therapist will need to attend a vocational school or college in order to earn an associate's or bachelor's degree in respiratory therapy. Typical courses in a respiratory therapy program include classes in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, physics, chemistry, and math. The student will learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, patient assessment methods, respiratory health, and other topics pertinent to a person who wishes to work in the respiratory therapy field.

Most states require that respiratory therapists possess a license in order to work. The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is one organization that certifies medical professionals who qualify to become respiratory therapists. The credential offered by NBRC is called Certified Respiratory Therapist, or CRT. Students must pass an exam in order to be granted certification.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-respiratory-therapy.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.