Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapists

Man in hospital bed receiving a respiratory therapy treatment

  • Respiratory therapists (RTs) specialize in the assessment and treatment of breathing difficulties that can occur following TBI.
  • RTs may have an Associate's degree (A.A.), Bachelor's degree (B.A.) or Master's degree (M.A.). RTs may be most likely to be involved in the early period of care following TBI.
    • RTs work hospital settings, monitoring patient breathing and managing equipment used to treat breathing difficulties.
  • Specific care performed by RTs can include:
    • Administering oxygen
    • Managing ventilators
    • Administering medications to the lungs
    • Monitoring cardiopulmonary systems
    • Measuring lung function
    • Teaching breathing exercises
    • Providing counseling about lung functioning / breathing difficulties
 

 

 

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This project was supported, in part, by grant number 90TBSG0040-03-00, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points or view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy, nor positions of Curators of the University of Missouri, UMKC, any partners, or additional funding sources.