RTLE study plan

Draw and label the respiratory tract from trachea to alveolus, marking the level where cartilage ends, where cilia and goblet cells taper off, and where the cough reflex is triggered.

Derive the alveolar gas equation and calculate A-a gradient and PaO2/FiO2 for 10 clinical vignettes, stating whether each reflects hypoventilation, shunt, V/Q mismatch, or diffusion limitation.

Explain surfactant, Laplace's law, and lung compliance using three disease models (neonatal RDS, ARDS, emphysema) and predict the effect of each on closing volume and work of breathing.

Build a 10-row comparison table contrasting obstructive, restrictive, and pulmonary vascular pathophysiology by spirometry pattern, lung volumes, DLCO, and ABG signature.

Interpret 15 mixed acid-base blood gases with a stepwise method, naming the primary disorder, expected compensation, and anion gap in each.

Map V/Q relationships from apex to base of the lung and explain how shunt, dead space, and diffusion impairment each change PaO2 and PaCO2 in 8 scenarios.

Trace oxygen delivery and consumption from CaO2 calculation through mixed venous saturation, and solve 8 cases involving anemia, low cardiac output, and carbon monoxide.

Identify 10 oxygen delivery devices by FiO2 range, flow limits, and clinical indication, then select the correct device for 12 patient vignettes.

Calculate medical gas cylinder duration and liquid oxygen consumption for 10 cases using tank factor, contents, and flow rate.

Compare humidification and nebulization devices by output, particle size, and contraindication, and match each to 8 airway or medication scenarios.

Select airway adjuncts, suction catheters, and artificial airway sizes for 12 adult and pediatric scenarios, giving the rationale for each choice.

Sequence the steps of preoxygenation, rapid-sequence intubation, tube confirmation, and securing the airway, including at least five confirmation methods.

Troubleshoot 8 oxygen therapy complications such as absorption atelectasis, oxygen toxicity, and hypercapnia in COPD, naming the adjustment and monitoring needed.

Assemble a verbal plan for emergency airway management in a cannot-intubate cannot-ventilate situation, naming the sequence and backup devices.

Apply airway clearance techniques including hyperinflation, PEP, and mechanical insufflation-exsufflation to 6 restrictive or neuromuscular cases.

Classify ventilator modes by control variable, breath sequence, and targeting scheme, placing 12 named modes into the correct categories.

Set initial ventilator parameters for 8 cases including ARDS, COPD, status asthmaticus, post-operative hypoxemia, and traumatic brain injury, justifying tidal volume, PEEP, and FiO2.

Calculate plateau pressure, static compliance, airway resistance, and driving pressure from 10 sets of ventilator data and state the safety threshold for each.

Interpret pressure-time, flow-time, and volume-time waveforms plus pressure-volume and flow-volume loops for 10 asynchrony, obstruction, leak, or overdistension examples.

Apply lung-protective ventilation targets and recruitment strategies to 5 ARDS cases, stating when to accept permissive hypercapnia.

Apply weaning criteria and spontaneous breathing trial criteria to 8 patients, calculating RSBI, NIF, and minute ventilation and deciding readiness.

Manage 6 ventilator alarm scenarios including high peak pressure, low tidal volume, auto-PEEP, and apnea backup, naming the first three actions in each.

Perform a systematic respiratory assessment on 8 written cases, integrating inspection, palpation, percussion, breath sounds, and accessory muscle use.

Interpret basic hemodynamic and monitoring data including CVP, arterial line waveform, and pulse oximetry limitations in 10 scenarios.

Identify ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention bundles and the respiratory therapist's role in each element for 5 ICU cases.

Interpret 20 arterial blood gases including mixed disorders, compensation limits, and venous versus arterial discrepancies, with a written interpretation for each.

Read 10 pulmonary function test reports, classify obstruction versus restriction, grade severity, and determine bronchodilator responsiveness.

Stage obstructive sleep apnea using AHI and oxygen desaturation index from 6 sleep study summaries, and describe positive airway pressure titration goals.

Calculate and interpret dead space to tidal volume ratio, shunt fraction, and oxygen content in 8 critical care cases.

Evaluate chest imaging and ECG findings for 8 respiratory emergencies, naming the finding, likely diagnosis, and immediate action.

Match 20 respiratory medications to drug class, mechanism, usual dose range, and major adverse effect, including beta agonists, anticholinergics, corticosteroids, and mucolytics.

Select the aerosol device, flow, and fill volume for 10 medication delivery scenarios, and calculate estimated lung dose for 5 cases.

Apply neonatal and pediatric oxygen targets, surfactant administration, and CPAP or ventilator settings to 8 cases involving RDS, TTN, MAS, and BPD.

Differentiate neonatal respiratory disorders by onset, chest radiograph pattern, and blood gas findings in a 6-row table.

Adjust aerosol and drug therapy for 6 pediatric or neonatal patients, accounting for small airway caliber, dead space, and device interface.

Complete two timed 100-item mock exams that sample all seven domains in exam proportion, scoring each within the time limit.

Convert every missed mock item into an error-log entry that states the correct concept, the distractor trap, and a retrieval cue.

Recompute the highest-yield formulas under timed conditions: A-a gradient, P/F ratio, compliance, resistance, cylinder duration, and RSBI.

Re-teach the five weakest concepts from the error log in your own words and self-quiz each one until 90% accuracy.

Consolidate a single-page final review sheet covering normal values, safety thresholds, and stepwise algorithms for ABG, ventilator, and airway decisions.