Respiratory therapists interact with many people in a variety of settings who may also use some sort of tobacco product. While the RT may be comfortable discussing other healthcare topics, the tobacco cessation discussion may be uncomfortable or difficult to initiate. This Clinician's Guide to Treating Tobacco Dependence provides RTs with the guidance necessary to understand the effects of nicotine, differentiate among tobacco products, discuss the addiction cycle, and initiate the tobacco cessation discussion with patients.
This course includes a short introductory video and a PDF document that you can download and use for future reference.
In addition, the AARC and ARCF, with a grant from Pfizer, developed an informational brochure for patients: Why Quit Using Tobacco? AARC members can order this resource to distribute to patients and, thanks to Pfizer, can get the first 50 copies for free! This resource can be ordered from the AARC at the following website:
http://c.aarc.org/resources/tobaccocessation/
Approved for 3.0 CRCE Hours
- Describe the effects of nicotine on the human body, including cardiopulmonary and psychoactive effects.
- Identify the effect of nicotine on weight and appetite.
- Discuss the carcinogenic effects of nicotine.
- Discuss the teratogenic effects of nicotine.
- Identify the various nicotine delivery systems and the hazards of cigarettes, menthol, light cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, electronic cigarettes, hookah smoking, smokeless tobacco, and snus.
- Define drug addiction and the neurochemistry of dependence.
- Describe the chain of nicotine addiction.
- Identify the eleven DSM 5 nicotine dependence criteria.
- Define tolerance and withdrawal as it relates to nicotine dependence.
- Identify each of the 5As and 5Rs used in these models.
- Describe the intervention process by using the 5As, 5Rs, and the Condensed AAR models.
- Discuss the stages of change in the context of willingness to quit as outlined by the transtheoretical model.
- Define motivational interviewing.
- Identify appropriate first-line pharmacotherapies for treating tobacco dependence in context with the patient’s need and co-morbid conditions.
- Discuss the mechanism of action, indication(s), contraindication(s), and hazards of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion, and varenicline.
- Identify special considerations for addressing tobacco dependence in the patient with cardiac complications.
- Identify special considerations for addressing tobacco dependence in the pregnant patient.
- Identify special considerations for addressing tobacco dependence in the hospitalized patient.
- Define secondhand smoke and thirdhand smoke.
- Identify special considerations for addressing tobacco dependence in teens and preteens.
- Identify systems-level barriers to sustaining a tobacco dependence treatment program.
- Discuss The Joint Commission’s (TJC) performance measures for the delivery of tobacco cessation to patients.
- Identify the steps to implementing a tobacco cessation program.
- Discuss reimbursement for tobacco cessation programs under Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.