Essay On Respiratory Therapy

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Respiratory Therapy began to enter the medical field in the early 1940s. Fast forward a few years and Respiratory Care still remains a relatively new field in the medical industry. Almost all fifty states now require a license or some other form of “other legal credentialing law governing the profession of respiratory care” (Weilacher). A Respiratory therapist by definition “treats people with health care issues affecting the cardiopulmonary system such as asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, cardiovascular disorders, and trauma”. A Respiratory therapist can work in a variety of settings such as the emergency room, intensive care units, and in rehabilitation centers. In order to become a Respiratory therapist in any of these settings, an Associate's …show more content…
While in a variety of settings the typical duties include; examining patients with breathing disorders, perform diagnostic tests such as measuring lung capacity, treat patients using a variety of methods, monitor progress, and teach patients how to use treatments and equipment themselves. In an emergency room setting, there are some situations where a Respiratory Therapist must connect a patient who cannot breathe on their own to a ventilator. Often times, Respiratory therapists may work in a home-care setting and help teach patients how to use treatment at home and make emergency home …show more content…
In 2012 my uncle fell ill and could no longer breathe on his own. He was placed on a ventilator and within the next week I observed as the Respiratory therapist monitored his breathing and discussed possible treatments for him. Asthma is a condition that runs throughout my family. My family members that are diagnosed with Asthma range from severe like my brother to mild like myself. I personally became very interested in how our body works and what we can do to decrease the number of people with these conditions. As I continue through my education I have an increased interest in how our bodies work naturally and the medical field continues to grow in order to help its

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