Introduction to Acute Respiratory Failure

Advance your healthcare career with the University of Glasgow

Respiratory failure is a common clinical problem encountered by most healthcare professionals. On this three-week course from The University of Glasgow, you’ll expand your knowledge of the respiratory system and acute respiratory failure to help you provide better care in your healthcare role.

You’ll gain a solid introduction to the oxygen delivery systems you’re likely to encounter and learn when and how to escalate care.

With expert insights, you’ll finish the course with the knowledge and skills to treat acute respiratory failure, helping you develop as a healthcare professional.

Explore the principles of gas exchange

You’ll start by understanding how we breathe as you unpack the principles of gas exchange.

Delving deeper into the process, you’ll learn the basic anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system to develop a strong foundation of knowledge.

Grasp the processes of type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure

Next, you’ll investigate respiratory failure – first learning how to define it, then unpacking the different types and causes.

Through this exploration, you’ll gain an understanding of type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure, airway obstruction, and the causes of pump failure.

Discover techniques to manage acute respiratory failure

With the basics covered, you’ll explore techniques to manage acute respiratory failure.

You’ll learn about different oxygen delivery systems and when each is appropriate. Finally, you’ll compare invasive and non-invasive ventilation, understanding when to escalate care.

By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to confidently treat respiratory failure and advance in your healthcare career.

This course is designed for medical students, nursing students, medical trainees, consultants, and any other healthcare professional working in a general ward setting.

No prior experience is required as you’ll learn the basics of acute respiratory failure.

This course is designed for medical students, nursing students, medical trainees, consultants, and any other healthcare professional working in a general ward setting.

No prior experience is required as you’ll learn the basics of acute respiratory failure.

• Describe the basic anatomy of the respiratory system.
• Describe the normal physiology of the respiratory system, including the principals of gas exchange
• Explain the basic pathophysiological processes of type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure.
• Discus the rationale for the use of the common types of oxygen delivery systems and their role in managing acute respiratory failure.
• Describe the advanced modes of respiratory support and when to escalate to them.