PTA 171 — Cardiopulmonary & Vascular Practice
This course introduces commonly encountered cardiopulmonary and vascular conditions in physical therapy. In this course, students will learn the applicable knowledge and clinical skills to complete tests and measurements related to a patient’s cardiopulmonary and vascular status. Additionally, this course will further previous and foundational coursework emphasizing clinical decision making skills, proficiency with cardiopulmonary and vascular risk factor assessments, effective resistive and aerobic exercise progressions and modifications, response to emergent conditions, and wellness and prevention initiatives in the cardiopulmonary and vascular patient populations. Lymphatic and integumentary conditions, tests, measurements, and interventions are introduced as related to the cardiopulmonary and vascular systems. Upon completion, students should be able to safely, correctly, and effectively apply and document tests, measurements, and interventions in clinical practice based on knowledge of cardiopulmonary, vascular, and related lymphatic and integumentary conditions as experienced by patients within in the plan of care and scope of practice of the physical therapist assistant (PTA) under the supervision of a physical therapist. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.