This course is a study of diseases common to patients requiring respiratory therapy and/or intensive care. Study of each disease will include: epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. in conjunction with the study of diseases will be the study of pharmacologic agents typically administered by respiratory therapists as well as medications that are critically important to the overall patient care plan. Study of pharmacological agents will include basic principles of pharmacology and drug administration safety along with specific information about the most important and commonly used respiratory related drugs. Upon completion of this course the student will be able to identify a disease process from key patient information and formulate an appropriate treatment plan including pharmacological agents.