• University of Glasgow

Introduction to Acute Respiratory Failure

Develop in your career as a healthcare professional as you gain the skills to recognise and treat acute respiratory failure.

423 enrolled on this course

Introduction to Acute Respiratory Failure

423 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Advance your healthcare career with the University of Glasgow

Respiratory failure is a common clinical problem encountered by most healthcare professionals. On this three-week course from The University of Glasgow, you’ll expand your knowledge of the respiratory system and acute respiratory failure to help you provide better care in your healthcare role.

You’ll gain a solid introduction to the oxygen delivery systems you’re likely to encounter and learn when and how to escalate care.

With expert insights, you’ll finish the course with the knowledge and skills to treat acute respiratory failure, helping you develop as a healthcare professional.

Explore the principles of gas exchange

You’ll start by understanding how we breathe as you unpack the principles of gas exchange.

Delving deeper into the process, you’ll learn the basic anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system to develop a strong foundation of knowledge.

Grasp the processes of type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure

Next, you’ll investigate respiratory failure – first learning how to define it, then unpacking the different types and causes.

Through this exploration, you’ll gain an understanding of type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure, airway obstruction, and the causes of pump failure.

Discover techniques to manage acute respiratory failure

With the basics covered, you’ll explore techniques to manage acute respiratory failure.

You’ll learn about different oxygen delivery systems and when each is appropriate. Finally, you’ll compare invasive and non-invasive ventilation, understanding when to escalate care.

By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to confidently treat respiratory failure and advance in your healthcare career.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Anatomy, Physiology and Gas Exchange

    • Anatomy of the Respiratory System

      Learn about the structure of the respiratory system, its components and functions

    • Physiology of the Respiratory System

      Using your learning from Basic anatomy, we will now apply this to learn about the normal function of the respiratory system

    • Principles of Gas Exchange

      In the section we will look at how the lungs deliver oxygen to the blood and remove waste products such as carbon dioxide from it

  • Week 2

    Pathophysiology of Acute Respiratory Failure

    • Definition and classification of Acute Respiratory Failure

      In this activity we will review the definition and we will explore the different ways in which we can classify ARF

    • Pathophysiology of Acute Respiratory Failure

      In this Activity we will review the pathophysiology involved in ARF

    • Clinical Presentation of Acute Respiratory Failure

      In this activity, we will review the clinical history of some cases presenting in respiratory distress. This activity will finish with a quiz to consolidate your learning.

  • Week 3

    Management of Acute Respiratory Failure

    • Oxygen and oxygen delivery systems

      Supplementary Oxygen

    • Higher Levels of Oxygen Delivery

      Higher Levels of Oxygen Delivery

    • Artificial ventilation

      Non Invasive Ventilation

    • Course Wrap Up

      End of Course Information

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the basic anatomy of the respiratory system.
  • Describe the normal physiology of the respiratory system, including the principals of gas exchange
  • Explain the basic pathophysiological processes of type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure.
  • Discus the rationale for the use of the common types of oxygen delivery systems and their role in managing acute respiratory failure.
  • Describe the advanced modes of respiratory support and when to escalate to them.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for medical students, nursing students, medical trainees, consultants, and any other healthcare professional working in a general ward setting.

No prior experience is required as you’ll learn the basics of acute respiratory failure.

Who will you learn with?

Hello, My name is Conal and I am a Clinical Teaching Fellow at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. I have an interest in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine and teaching.

Hi, my name is Keith and I am a Clinical Teaching Fellow in Critical Care at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. My career plan is to become an anaesthetist and intensivist

Consultant in Anaesthesia & Critical Care at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Interests are in Training & Education. Co-Programme Director for the MSc Critical Care at University of Glasgow

I am a consultant in Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow. I lead Critical Care Research and am Principal Investigator on several clinical trials.

I am an Anaesthetic and ICU Registrar in the West of Scotland.

Who developed the course?

The University of Glasgow

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities.

  • Established

    1451
  • Location

    Glasgow, Scotland, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 70Source: QS World University Rankings 2020

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99

For your first month. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$54/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 2 Jan 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 29 December 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

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