Includes bibliographical references and index.

History of respiratory care / David C. Shelledy and Carl P. Wiezalis -- Quality and evidence-based respiratory care / Lucy Kester and James K. Stoller -- Patient safety, communication, and recordkeeping / Robert L. Wilkins -- Principles of infection control / Steven M. Gordon -- Ethical and legal implications of practice / Charles Carroll -- Physical principles of respiratory care / Robert L. Wilkins -- Computer applications in respiratory care / Michael E. Anders -- The respiratory system / George H. Hicks -- The cardiovascular system / W. William Hughes -- Ventilation / Gregg L. Ruppel -- Gas exchange and transport / Robert L. Wilkins --;Solutions, body fluids, and electrolytes / Gregg L. Ruppel -- Acid-base balance / Will Beachey -- Regulation of breathing / Will Beachey -- Bedside assessment of the patient / Robert L. Wilkins -- Interpretation of clinical laboratory data / Robert L. Wilkins -- Interpreting the electrocardiogram / Kimberly A. Sorensen and Robert L. Wilkins -- Analysis and monitoring of gas exchange / Robert L. Wilkins -- Pulmonary function testing / F. Herbert Douce -- A synopsis of thoracic imaging / N. Lennard Specht and James K. Stoller -- Nutrition assessment / Georgia Hodgkin -- Pulmonary infections / Steven K. Schmitt and David L. Longworth --;Obstructive lung disease : COPD, asthma, and related diseases / Raed Dweik and James K. Stoller -- Interstitial lung disease / Jeffrey T. Chapman and Kevin K. Brown -- Pleural diseases / Charlie Strange -- Pulmonary vascular disease / Raed A. Dweik and Alejandro C. Arroliga -- Acute lung injury, pulmonary edema, and multiple system organ failure / Elliott D. Crouser and Ruairi J. Fahy -- Lung cancer / Peter Mazzone -- Neuromuscular and other diseases of the chest wall / Robert Schilz -- Disorders of sleep / Laurie A. Kilkenny, Karl S. Fernandes, Patrick J. Strollo, Jr. -- Neonatal and pediatric respiratory disorders / Douglas D. Deming and N. Lennard Specht --;Airway pharmacology / Douglas S. Gardenhire -- Airway management / Kim F. Simmons and Craig L. Scanlan -- Emergency cardiovascular life support / Thomas A. Barnes -- Humidity and bland aerosol therapy / Jim Fink -- Aerosol drug therapy / Jim Fink -- Storage and delivery of medical gases / David Vines -- Medical gas therapy / Albert J. Heuer and Craig L. Scanlan -- Respiratory failure and the need for ventilatory support / Loutfi S. Aboussouan -- Mechanical ventilators / Robert L. Chatburn and Teresa A. Volsko -- Physiology of ventilatory support / Timothy B. Op'tHolt --;Initiating and adjusting ventilatory support / David C. Shelledy -- Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation / Robert M. Kacmarek -- Monitoring and management of the patient in the intensive care unit / Alexander B. Adams -- Discontinuing ventilatory support / David C. Shellady -- Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care / Peter Betit and John Thompson -- Patient education and health promotion / Donna Gardner and Robert L. Wilkins -- Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation / Kenneth A. Wyka -- Respiratory care in alternative settings / Albert J. Heuer and Craig L. Scanlan.