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About This Course

The AARC’s Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist course is a comprehensive course developed to enhance the critical skills necessary for respiratory therapists who work in the neonatal and pediatric critical care environments. This is an excellent course to assist those respiratory therapists preparing to challenge the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Neonatal-Pediatric Specialist examination.

The content of this course is reflective of the most recent NBRC NPS detailed content outline, effective as of October 2018.

In addition to preparing the respiratory therapist for the NBRC NPS examination, this course is an excellent tool for those who are new to neonatal-pediatric care. With content geared toward respiratory care and critical care for both the neonatal and pediatric population, this course is a comprehensive orientation to the respiratory therapist’s role in caring for the critically ill neonatal and pediatric patient.

Successful completion of this course requires a score of 70% on the post-test.

Seminar Objectives

Discuss general critical care practices, such as assessing patient status and changes in status

Anticipate care based on laboratory results, anticipate care based on imaging and reports of imaging

Anticipate effects of pharmacologic agents

Anticipate care based on nutritional status, prevent ventilator associated pneumonia, and recognize and manage patients with infections and sepsis in the neonatal/pediatric population.

Discuss respiratory critical care procedures, such as managing airways, administering specialty gases, manage ventilation, and deliver pharmacologic agents in the neonatal/pediatric population.

Identify necessary components to prepare for disasters, including patient protection and equipment and supply management in the neonatal/pediatric population.

Identify components of acting as an interdisciplinary team member in the neonatal/pediatric population.

Discuss performing critical care procedures and troubleshoot systems such as chest tube drainage, bronchoscopy, hemodynamic monitoring, and inhaled delivery of vasodilators in the neonatal/pediatric population.

Discuss issues with patient autonomy, surrogate decision making, and end of life in the neonatal/pediatric population.

Chapters

This presentation identifies common airway clearance issues in neonatal and pediatric patients, including secretion removal and devices for airway clearance.

This video is approximately 23 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix item I C; I D

Speaker Information
  • Kathy Deakins MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC

This presentation identifies the indications and contraindications for the use of various specialty gases in the treatment of neonatal and pediatric patients as well as the use and hazards of various artificial airways.

This video is approximately 1 hour and 4 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I B, I C, I M, II B, and II C

Speaker Information
  • Steven Sittig RRT, RRT-NPS
  • Shawna Strickland PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC

This presentation will discuss two major complications of medical interventions: ventilator associated events and nutrition. The topics incude prevention of development of ventilator associated infections through various interventions and nutritional interventions that may produce cardiopulmonary compromise.

This video is approximately 10 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I I; II G

Speaker Information
  • Shawna Strickland PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC

This presentation provides an overview of the major principles of the American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics’ Neonatal Resuscitation Program.

This video is approximately 50 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix item I J

Speaker Information
  • John Gallagher MPH, RRT, RRT-NPS

This presentation provides an overview of the major principles of the American Heart Association’s Pediatric Advanced Life Support program.

This video is approximately 33 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix item I J

Speaker Information
  • Natalie Napolitano MPH, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C, FAARC

This presentation addresses ethical conflicts and concepts common to the neonatal and pediatric population, including patient autonomy, surrogate decision-making, informed consent, ventilatory support at the end of life, withdrawal of life support, and organ donation. A discussion of working as part of a multidisciplinary team and essential components of effective disaster management and safety.

This video is approximately 20 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I K; I L; II H

Speaker Information
  • Shawna Strickland PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC

This presentation discusses issues regarding patient and family education, including discharge planning, tracheostomy care, resuscitation, home monitoring, and home mechanical ventilation.

This video is approximately 27 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix item I M

Speaker Information
  • Alex Brendel MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS

This presentation focuses on the indications and diagnostic uses of various diagnostic imaging tests, including: radiographs, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, echocardiography, cardiac catheterization/angiography, and fluoroscopy.

This video is approximately 44 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I A, I H

Speaker Information
  • Howard Panitch MD

Part 1 discusses normal and abnormal values in relation to blood gases and co-oximetry. These diagnostic laboratory studies are also discussed in context with the conditions of neonatal and pediatric patients.

Part 2 discusses normal and abnormal values in relation to blood chemistries, electrolytes, microbiology, and other clinical laboratory diagnostic studies. These diagnostic laboratory studies are also discussed in context with the conditions of neonatal and pediatric patients.

The part 1 video is approximately 54 minutes in length and the part 2 video is approximately 48 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I A; I E; I G

Speaker Information
  • Janet Lioy MD

This presentation provides a review of the basics of volume versus pressure ventilation as well as a discussion of appropriate initial mechanical ventilation settings, ventilator graphics interpretation, and weaning techniques for neonatal and pediatric patients.

This video is approximately 53 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items II D

Speaker Information
  • Dana Evans MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS

This presentation discusses mechanical ventilation strategies to optimize the patient-ventilator interaction as well as liberation from mechanical ventilation in neonatal and pediatric patients.

This video is approximately 48 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix item II D

Speaker Information
  • Ira Cheifetz MD, FCCM, FAARC

This presentation focuses on the cardiopulmonary disease processes that are common to the neonatal population and are specifically addressed on the NBRC NPS examination. These processes include congenital heart diseases, prematurity, meconium aspiration, pulmonary hypertension, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

This video is approximately 1 hour and 6 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I A; I B; and those disease processes listed in the secondary test specifications

Speaker Information
  • Sara Wing Parker MPH, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C

 

This presentation discusses components of neurologic, basic cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, metabolic, and musculoskeletal assessments as well as reinforce the recognition of respiratory failure in the neonatal patient. The presenter reviews normal and abnormal findings of these assessments in the context of the neonatal critically ill patient.

This video is approximately 49 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I A; II A

Speaker Information
  • Sara Wing Parker MPH, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C

This presentation provides an exploration of the indications, contraindications, hazards, side effects, and beneficial effects of non-invasive ventilation in the neonatal/pediatric population.

This video is approximately 53 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix item II D

Speaker Information
  • Dana Evans MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS

These chapters use a case-based approach to gather and interpret clinical information to assist the neonatal pediatric specialist in making appropriate clinical decisions.

  • Case study #1: This module is approximately 11 minutes in length.
  • Case study #2: This module is approximately 13 minutes in length.
  • Case study #3: This module is approximately 10 minutes in length.
  • Case study #4: This module is approximately 11 minutes in length.
  • Case study #5: This module is approximately 17 minutes in length.
  • Case study #6: This module is approximately 6 minutes in length.
Speaker Information
  • Natalie Napolitano MPH, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C, FAARC
  • Dana Evans MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS
  • Shawna Strickland PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC
  • Dabney Eidson BS, RRT, RRT-NPS
  • Timothy Myers MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC
  • Steven Sittig RRT, RRT-NPS

This presentation provides an overview of the vital components of an advanced cardiopulmonary assessment in the neonatal/pediatric population, including airway pressure monitoring and ventilator-patient interaction. In addition, the presentation discusses the various components of hemodynamic monitoring, including normal and abnormal values, and relate these to the neonatal/pediatric patient.

This video is approximately 36 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I B; II D

Speaker Information
  • Shari Toomey MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS

This presentation focuses on the cardiopulmonary disease processes that are common to the pediatric patient and are specifically addressed on the NBRC NPS examination. These processes include asthma, pneumonia, croup, bronchiolitis, neuromuscular diseases, trauma, inhalation injuries, and cystic fibrosis.

This video is approximately 1 hour and 4 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I A; I B; and those disease processes listed in the secondary test specifications

Speaker Information
  • Kathy Deakins MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC

This presentation will define ARDS in the pediatric population and review recommendations to maximize conventional ventilation and gas exchange goals as well as discuss modalities such as high frequency ventilation and various adjunct approaches, including ECMO.

This video is approximately 57 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix item II D

Speaker Information
  • Ira Cheifetz MD, FCCM, FAARC

 

This presentation discusses components of neurologic, basic cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, metabolic, and musculoskeletal assessments as well as reinforce the recognition of respiratory failure in the pediatric patient. The presenter reviews normal and abnormal findings of these assessments in the context of the pediatric critically ill patient.

This video is approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items IA; II A

Speaker Information
  • Alex Brendel MBA, RRT, RRT-NPS

This presentation reviews the common medications (pulmonary and non-pulmonary) used in the treatment of neonatal and pediatric patients. In addition, information on the effects/side effects and the role of the respiratory therapist in the administration of these medications is provided.

This video is approximately 43 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I F, II F

Speaker Information
  • Douglas Gardenhire EdD, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC

This presentation focuses on a variety of procedures classified as “”special procedures”” by the NBRC and the respiratory therapist’s role in performing or assisting in the procedure as well as troubleshooting various situations. These procedures includeperipheral and umbilical intravenous acess; intra- and inter-hospital transport; intubation and extubation; oxygen challenge, and transillumination.

This video is approximately 55 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I A; I B; II E

Speaker Information
  • Jenn Watts BS, RRT, RRT-NPS, C-NPT

This presentation focuses on bronchoscopy in children and the respiratory therapist’s role in performing or assisting in this procedure as well as troubleshooting various sitations.

This video is approximately 38 minutes in length.

NBRC NPS matrix items I E

Speaker Information
  • Howard Panitch MD

This module identifies keys to successful performance on examinations by addressing major concepts associated with proper preparation and study: issues of memory, the forgetting process, and the principles and stages of learning.

This video is approximately 1 hour and 14 minutes in length.”

Speaker Information
  • Bill Galvin MEd, RRT, CPFT, FAARC

The welcome video is approximately 3 minutes in length. It is recommended that you take the pre-course practice examination (see the document in the “”papers”” tab) prior to accessing the course materials.

Course faculty conflicts of interest are disclosed below. Brand names of products and pictures of products may be used only as examples of available technology. No endorsement of any one product or device is intended.

Speaker Information
  • Alex Brendel: no relationships to disclose
  • Ira Cheifetz: Philips, Ikaria
  • Kathy Deakins: Hill-Rom, Masimo
  • Dabney Eidson: no relationships to disclose
  • Dana Evans: Chiesi USA
  • John Gallagher: AARC liaison to the American Academy of Pediatrics NRP program
  • Bill Galvin: no relationships to disclose
  • Douglas Gardenhire: no relationships to disclose
  • Janet Lioy: no relationships to disclose
  • Timothy Myers: no relationships to disclose
  • Natalie Napolitano: Dräger, Aerogen, Philips Respironics, Nihon Kohden, CVS Health
  • Howard Panitch: Philips Respironics
  • Steve Sittig: no relationships to disclose
  • Shawna Strickland: no relationships to disclose
  • Shari Toomey: No relationships to disclose
  • Jenn Watts: no relationships to disclose
  • Sara Wing Parker: no relationships to disclose