MATH 1142 Intro to Respiratory Calculations Syllabus 010 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 2.00 Lecture Hours 2 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
27.0301
Course Meeting Time

Tues, Thur, 11am-12:40pm

Course Description

This course is for Respiratory Therapist students to learn applications of mathematical concepts in the field. Topics include systems of measurement, dosage calculations, gas laws, concepts of oxygenation and use of formulas for specific respiratory applications.

Prerequisites

RESP 1113 and RESP 1324 - Must be taken at the same time as this course.

General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Ruth Fabbro
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8762
Faculty Office Number
L346
Faculty Student Support Hours

MW 11am-12pm, TTh 1-2pm

I will be available in my office during those times without making an appointment.  You will need to make an appointment outside of those times.

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify symbols and interpret measures in the metric, apothecary and household systems.
  2. Perform calculations to determine oxygenation status.
  3. Perform calculations involving various volumes and capacities as they relate to lung function.
  4. Apply the knowledge of volumes and capacities to solve problems involving mechanical ventilation.
  5. Convert between units of measurement within the same system and from one system to another.
  6. Calculate oral, parenteral and pediatric drug dosages.
  7. Apply knowledge of behavior of gases under varying temperatures and pressures.
  8. Calculate the duration of gas cylinders and liquid oxygen reservoirs.
  9. Calculate inspiratory flow rate and flow rate delivered by air entrainment oxygen devices.
  10. Apply knowledge of flow rates to determine the adequacy of supply to patients.
  11. Determine the air and oxygen ratio for any oxygen percentage and calculate oxygen concentration under varying conditions.
  12. Solve problems involving humidity and its application to respiratory care.
Topical Outline
  1. Conversions, Gas Laws
  2. Gas Cylinders and Flow Rates
  3. Mixing Air and Oxygen, Drug Dosages
  4. Humidity, Oxygen Content
  5. Alveolar Air Equation, Lung Volumes and Capacities
  6. Mechanical Ventilation
  7. Compliance and Resistance, Dead Space
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Practical Math for Respiratory Care by Raymond Sibberson.

Methods of Evaluation

This course will be evaluated by performance on homework, tests, and a comprehensive final exam.

  • Homework = 25% of grade
  • Tests = 50% of grade
  • Final Exam = 25% of grade

Grading Scale:

PercentageFinal Grade
90-100%A
80-89%B
70-79%C
60-69%D
0-59%F
Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Policies

Homework: Homework will be assigned from the textbook and submitted in Canvas. All work must be shown to receive credit. I will drop your lowest homework grade.

Tests: All tests will be taken in class. There will be no makeup tests. Exceptions to this will be at the discretion of the instructor. I will replace your lowest test score with your final exam grade so if you miss a test, you will have the opportunity to replace the zero with your final exam grade.

Final Exam: The final exam is cumulative. A handout of formulas will be provided for you.

Course Calendar
WeekTopics
1Intro, Compliance and Resistance, Mechanical Ventilation
2Dead Space, Exam
3Lung Volumes and Capacities, Alveolar Air Equation, Oxygen Content
4Exam, Conversions, Gas Laws
5Gas Cylinders, Flow Rates, Exam
6Mixing Air and Oxygen, Drug Dosages, Humidity
7Exam, Review
8Review, Final Exam

 

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

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  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
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