Hello everyone! My regrets on not posting in awhile- just started back with my third semester and between class/clinicals/STUDYING, volunteering, and working I have been nonstop busy. I certainly have never pushed myself mentally and physically so hard in my life but I am learning so much and working towards my dream so I am staying motivated! Saying that I have had an incredible experience the past month during my clinicals. Now being in clinicals twice a week I am getting more exposure to all of the different roles of a respiratory therapist. I've been able to do multiple ABG's, observe a trachescopy and extubations, assemble high/low oxygen devices, transport patients to the ICU, and mostly getting practice delivering hand held nebs/MDI/DPI's. We are getting to experience all of the different departments of the hospital which is exciting and one of the main things that attracted me to the career of a respiratory therapist.
I had my most exciting experience thus far today at clinicals when I got the chance to stand in and watch a Caesarean section and witness a newborn baby boy's very first breath-literally was beyond incredible. Although I do not get into pediatrics until my second year of school observing the C-section sparked my interest in researching what a respiratory therapist role is in the delivery room. Considering many newborns needs assistance in transitioning into newborn life and this is a time of great physiologic adjustments it is important for a respiratory therapist to be present to assess, treat, and monitor heart and lung (cardiopulmonary) problems which may require breathing assistance with a ventilator or initiation of medical gases. It is imperative to make sure the newborn is not breathing any fluid into their lungs so their mouth and nose may be suctioned to prevent this.
Observation skills are key for adequate chest rise; use of pressures that produce easily visible chest rise may be excessive (lung injury). A respiratory therapist will set up and monitor the baby's ventilator, provide oxygen therapy and medical gas therapy for babies with specific kinds of lung or heart problems, and provide chest percussions and inhaled steroids and bronchodilators. If a baby is intubated and needs to be transported to other areas for tests, a respiratory therapist will accompany the baby to monitor his or her ventilator. Assisted ventilation is the most important intervention performed during the newborn transition.
An Apgar test is given to find out if the newborn needs special care. This simple test measures the newborn’s heart rate, breathing rate, muscle activity, reflexes, and skin color. Each of these factors are given a rating of 0, 1 or 2, then the results are added up for the final Apgar score. The maximum final score is 10. A rating of 7-10 is good to excellent, 4-6 is fair, and less than 4 is a poor condition. A low score at 1 minute is a sign the newborn is having problems adapting to life outside the mother and helps decide if resuscitation is needed. The Apgar test is given at 1 minute after birth and repeated at 5 minutes after birth.
I had my most exciting experience thus far today at clinicals when I got the chance to stand in and watch a Caesarean section and witness a newborn baby boy's very first breath-literally was beyond incredible. Although I do not get into pediatrics until my second year of school observing the C-section sparked my interest in researching what a respiratory therapist role is in the delivery room. Considering many newborns needs assistance in transitioning into newborn life and this is a time of great physiologic adjustments it is important for a respiratory therapist to be present to assess, treat, and monitor heart and lung (cardiopulmonary) problems which may require breathing assistance with a ventilator or initiation of medical gases. It is imperative to make sure the newborn is not breathing any fluid into their lungs so their mouth and nose may be suctioned to prevent this.
Observation skills are key for adequate chest rise; use of pressures that produce easily visible chest rise may be excessive (lung injury). A respiratory therapist will set up and monitor the baby's ventilator, provide oxygen therapy and medical gas therapy for babies with specific kinds of lung or heart problems, and provide chest percussions and inhaled steroids and bronchodilators. If a baby is intubated and needs to be transported to other areas for tests, a respiratory therapist will accompany the baby to monitor his or her ventilator. Assisted ventilation is the most important intervention performed during the newborn transition.
An Apgar test is given to find out if the newborn needs special care. This simple test measures the newborn’s heart rate, breathing rate, muscle activity, reflexes, and skin color. Each of these factors are given a rating of 0, 1 or 2, then the results are added up for the final Apgar score. The maximum final score is 10. A rating of 7-10 is good to excellent, 4-6 is fair, and less than 4 is a poor condition. A low score at 1 minute is a sign the newborn is having problems adapting to life outside the mother and helps decide if resuscitation is needed. The Apgar test is given at 1 minute after birth and repeated at 5 minutes after birth.
Respiratory therapist play a very valuable role in the delivery room and having the opportunity to observe today was very rewarding. I am really looking forward to working as a respiratory therapist and having the chance to ensure that newborns are stable/breathing upon delivery!
Ok- now back to studying :)
Ok- now back to studying :)
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