Respiratory Therapy

A specialized healthcare profession focused on assessing, diagnosing, and treating individuals with respiratory disorders, including conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory distress.

 

Respiratory Therapist:

A licensed healthcare professional trained in respiratory therapy, responsible for providing respiratory care, administering treatments, and managing ventilator support.

 

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs):

Diagnostic tests that assess lung function, measuring factors such as lung capacity, airflow, and gas exchange, aiding in the diagnosis and management of respiratory conditions.

Ventilator:

A mechanical device that supports breathing in individuals with respiratory failure, providing controlled delivery of air and oxygen to the lungs.

 

Aerosol Therapy:

Treatment involving the delivery of medications in the form of a fine mist or aerosol, often administered through inhalers or nebulizers to manage respiratory conditions.

 

Oxygen Therapy:

A medical intervention that involves the administration of supplemental oxygen to individuals with respiratory conditions to improve oxygen levels in the blood.

 

Nebulizer:

A device that converts liquid medications into a fine mist, allowing patients to inhale the medication for effective respiratory therapy.

Chest Physiotherapy:

Techniques, such as percussion and postural drainage, used by respiratory therapists to help mobilize and clear mucus from the airways in patients with conditions like cystic fibrosis or chronic bronchitis.

 

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP):

A form of non-invasive ventilation that delivers a continuous stream of air pressure to keep airways open, commonly used in sleep apnea and respiratory distress.

 

Respiratory Assessment:

A comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s respiratory status, including lung sounds, breathing rate, oxygen saturation, and other factors, to guide therapeutic interventions.

 

Pulse Oximetry:

A non-invasive method of monitoring oxygen saturation in the blood by placing a sensor on a patient’s fingertip, earlobe, or toe.

 

ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome):

A severe lung condition characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs, leading to respiratory failure, often requiring intensive respiratory therapy.