Humidity is critical to human respiratory health. Our airways naturally condition inspired air to a level of temperature and humidity that enables physiologic equilibrium in the airway. When this natural balance is disrupted, the performance of the lung is inhibited. Maintaining this physiologic harmony is vital to a patient's outcome.
This student learning module provides an overview of humidity, optimal humidity levels and the mucociliary transport system, methods of delivering humidity and moisture to the airways, identifies patient groups at greater risk from lack of humidification, and reviews the AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines on humidification during mechanical ventilation.
This learning module will take you approximately 1.5 hours to complete.
Successful completion of this learning module requires a passing score of 70% (10/15) on the post-test.
This course does NOT qualify for CRCE. If you need CRCE for your license or credential, please search for content in other channels on AARC U.
User reviews for Respiratory Humidity:
"Great learning modules!"
"Thanks to AARC for giving me this wonderful opportunity to learn about humidification."
"Well-structured modules. Great for review and learning!"
"Easy to follow and learn. This is a great seminar for students. I believe first year students would benefit from this seminar."
"Loved the videos of mucociliary transport in action."
- Module 1: Define humidity, identify how humidity is measured, discuss respiratory humidification and gas conditioning, and describe the mucociliary transport system and humidification.
- Module 2: Discuss the impact of reduced temperature and humidity on mucociliary transport, identify factors that influence temperature and humidity in the airways, and determine the optimal humidity level for the airways.
- Module 3: Discuss how humidity and moisture are added to the airways via active and passive humidifiers, nebulizers, and saline instillation.
- Module 4: Discuss various patient groups at risk from lack of humidification, including those who are mechanically ventilated, have excessive or thick secretions, experience air leaks in the system, are difficult to wean, are non-compliant due to discomfort, are immunocompromised, and are receiving long-term ventilation
- Module 5: Discuss the recommendations and rationale provided for humidification during mechanical ventilation published in the 2012 AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines