A respiratory nurse helps patients learn how to monitor and live with respiratory conditions. Respiratory nurses will often work with patients who are receiving oxygen treatments or are dependent on ventilators to stay alive.
A respiratory nurse, also called a pulmonary care nurse, is a nursing professional who plays an instrumental role in treating patients suffering from respiratory problems. Proper treatment is essential as problems in the respiratory system can result in several complications, some of which can be fatal. A respiratory nurse will often care for patients who suffer from both acute and chronic respiratory illnesses. Such illnesses include asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, tuberculosis, and lung cancer.
Respiratory therapists typically do the following: Interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. Consult with physicians about patients’ conditions and develop treatment plans. Perform diagnostic tests.