RSPC A290: Neonatal Intensive Care
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Eff Term | Fall 2026 |
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 11/12/2025 |
| Top Code | 121000 - Respiratory Care/Therapy (CTE) |
| Units | 2 Total Units (Lecture Units 1.5; Lab/Other Units 0.5) |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; Lab Hours 27) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 54 |
| Total Student Learning Hours | 108 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Open Entry/Open Exit | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S) |
Course Description
Theory and practice of neonatal intensive respiratory care with emphasis on the role of the RCP. Includes fetal anatomy and physiology, delivery and assessment, resuscitation, neonatal pathologies, respiratory care diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and techniques for mechanical ventilation. PREREQUISITE: RSPC A270 and RSPC A275. COREQUISITE: RSPC A286. Transfer Credit: CSU.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Describe and apply knowledge of neonatal development, assessment, life support modalities and pathologies.
Course Objectives
- 1. Analyze placental anatomy, physiology, and development.
- 2. Describe the procedures that are performed after a normal and high risk birth.
- 3. Describe and perform resuscitation procedures for the neonate.
- 4. Describe normal thermal regulation and recognize how it is impeded.
- 5. Interpret clinical and lab data including ABG's
- 6. Utilize monitoring devices.
- 7. Recognize various neonatal pathologies including definition, etiology, signs and symptoms, lab and x-ray findings, treatments, and prognosis.
- 8. Initiate and maintain patient airways utilizing various techniques and equipment.
- 9. Assess patient data from lab, x-ray, and chest examination to make appropriate recommendations to patient care.
- 10. Assess oxygenation and recommend appropriate therapy.
- 11. Apply knowledge of specialty therapeutic treatments and modalities to manage neonate population given patient diagnosis and pathologies.
- 12. Apply mechanical ventilation techniques to given patient situations.
- 13. Identify high risk situations and describe transport of patient by land or air between facilities.
Lecture Content
Fetal-placental anatomy and physiology Placental anatomy and physiology Fetal development and fetal circulation Evaluating fetal maturity and fetal monitoring during labor Neonatal transition and assessment Normal labor and delivery Abnormal labor and delivery Transition from fetus to neonate Apgar scoring Silver-Anderson scoring Dubowitz physical and neurological exam Gestational age and intrauterine growth SGA, AGA, and LGA Neonatal resuscitation After delivery Meconium babies Airway and breathing--equipment and techniques Infant CPR Neonatal ALS drugs Intubation-- techniques and equipment Airway suctioning--equipment and techniques Neonatal anatomy and physiology Compared to adult Mechanics of infant breathing Time constants Neonatal breathing patterns Neonatal pathologies A. Congenital defects B. Cardiac p; C. Pulmonary VI. Thermal regulation Neutral thermal environment Mechanisms of heat transfer Effects of cold stress Isolettes and radiant warmers VII. Neonatal blood gases Normal values for ABGs Capillary gases Sample sites and sampling techniques VIII. Therapeutic Treatments and Modalities A. Oxygen 1. High flow nasal cannula 2. Non-invasive CPAP 3. Bubble CPAP B. Gas mixtures 1. Heliox < p> 2. Carbogen 3. Inhaled NO C. ECMO IX. Mechanical Ventilation A. Initiation, Management, and Weaning 1. Conventional 2. Oscillator X. High Risk Situations A. Transport to higher level of care
Lab Content
I. Fetal development and circulation
II. Neonatal resuscitation
III. Intubation technique and equipment
IV. Therapeutic treatments and modalities
V. Mechanical ventilation
VI. High risk situations and transport
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- Lab (04)
- DE Live Online Lab (04S)
Instructional Techniques
Lecture discussion, lab demonstration and instructor feedback, small group exercises, patient case studies, computer and manikin simulations.
Reading Assignments
Student will spend 3-4 hours weekly reading 2-4 textbook chapters, patient case-study assignments and researching Pathology project.
Writing Assignments
Student will spend 3-4 hours weekly completing homework and patient case study assignments, pathology project and examinations.
Out-of-class Assignments
Student will spend 3-4 hours weekly completing reading assignments, related homework and patient case-study assignments and Pathology project.
Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended
54
Methods of Student Evaluation
- Midterm Exam
- Final Exam
- Written Assignments
- Objective Examinations
- Problem Solving Exercises
- Oral Presentations
- Skills Demonstration
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Student performance, completion of lab skills, written assignments, and written examinations
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Pathology project, homework and patient case-study assignments, and written examinations.
Eligible Disciplines
Respiratory technician: Any bachelor's degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Walsh, Brian. Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care, 5e ed. Elsevier, 2020 2. Required American Academy of Pediatrics. Textbook of Neonatal Resusciation, 7th ed. American Heart Association, 2016 Legacy Textbook Transfer Data: This is the most recent edition
Resources Subscreen
- Textbook: Walsh, B. . Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care, 6th Edition. Saunders (2023).
- Textbook: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association; Weiner, G., Cooper, C., Lee, H.. Textbook of Neonatal Resuscitation, 9th Edition. American Academy of Pediatrics and American Heart Association (2025).
Eligible Discipline(s)
- Respiratory technician: Any bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.
