Respiratory therapists typically work with patients who have more manageable respiratory conditions. For example, respiratory therapists often administer oxygen to patients with difficulty breathing. They also train patients and their families to properly use home ventilators. Like pulmonologists, respiratory therapists sometimes use imaging techniques such as X-rays or analyze the level of oxygen in a patient's blood to diagnose her condition. Respiratory therapists administer other types of treatments as well, such as aerosol treatments for asthma patients and chest physiotherapy for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Job Summary
Respiratory therapists typically work with patients who have more manageable respiratory conditions. For example, respiratory therapists often administer oxygen to patients with difficulty breathing. They also train patients and their families to properly use home ventilators. Like pulmonologists, respiratory therapists sometimes use imaging techniques such as X-rays or analyze the level of oxygen in a patient's blood to diagnose her condition. Respiratory therapists administer other types of treatments as well, such as aerosol treatments for asthma patients and chest physiotherapy for patients with cystic fibrosis.
