• Course Format

    eLearning/Self-directed course

  • Course Access

    1 year unlimited access 24/7 to the online course

  • Course Length

    607 minutes

  • Study Guide

    Downloadable PDF Study Guide

  • Contact Hours

    10.25

  • Certificate of Completion

    Printable CE Certificate

Description

This course features Clinical Nurse Specialist Nicole Kupchik & Respiratory Therapist Karen LaRoche'.

Both speakers have extensive Critical Care experience with a knack for breaking down complex topics into a digestible form. Nicole & Karen take a simple approach to understanding mechanical ventilation. From identifying respiratory failure to intubation & settings, to ventilator liberation, this is a course every critical care & emergency practitioner needs in their clinical role!

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this eLearning, participants should be able to:

  • Review basic pulmonary mechanics

  • Differentiate between hypoxic (Type 1) & hypercapnic (Type 2) respiratory failure

  • Discuss the use of Capnography to identify issues with ventilation, respiratory depression and ET tube placement & dislodgement

  • Describe steps to ensure preparedness for intubation

  • Discuss RSI medications & sedation strategies used with mechanically ventilated patients

  • Compare pressure vs. volume ventilation and classic modes in each category

  • Discuss ventilator measurements and how to apply them to patient care

  • Recognize the relationship of ventilation and perfusion

  • Identify the role PEEP plays in mechanical ventilation

  • Define ARDS using the Berlin Definition & four criteria

  • Explore lung protective ventilation strategies through a case-based discussion

  • Identify refractory hypoxemia and evidence-based rescue strategies

  • Discuss steps to successfully liberate a patient from the ventilator

What Nurses Are Saying About This Online Course

"Loved I could review concepts, re-watch certain video's. I learn best by studying a little bit every day. I retain so much more than a big dose in 1 day. E learning allows for this method. I really like all the scenario's. I have really liked all the courses I have taken so far."

"I LOVED being able to stop and start. I feel like I was able to absorb way more information than in a long classroom day."

"I learned so much! I'm fairly new to vents, and I find that the RTs/MDs make most of our ventilator changes without very much explanation. This course was very helpful and informative for me! Thank you!"

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to Unveiling the Mysteries of Mechanical Ventilation

    • Read First: How To Navigate This Course

    • Download Handouts Here!
  • 2

    Course Overview

    • Introduction
  • 3

    Module 1: Respiratory Failure

    • Lesson 1: Oxygenation

    • Lesson 2: Pulse Oximetry: Friend or Foe

    • Lesson 3: Hypoxic vs. Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure

    • Lesson 4: Cannula Devices

    • Lesson 5: Non-Invasive Ventilation

    • Lesson 6: Respiratory Depression & Opioids

  • 4

    Module 2: Intubation

    • Lesson 1: Intubation Case

    • Lesson 2: Intubation & Medications

    • Lesson 3: Airways

    • Lesson 4: Preserving Oxygenation During Intubation
  • 5

    Module 3: Ventilator Basics

    • Lesson 1: Ventilator Settings

    • Lesson 2: Respiratory Waveforms

    • Lesson 3: Sedation Practices

  • 6

    Module 4: Parameters We Measure

    • Lesson 1: Parameters We Measure

    • Lesson 2: Airway Resistance

    • Lesson 3: Pulmonary Compliance

    • Lesson 4: Esophageal Manometry with Balloons & Transpulmonary Pressures

  • 7

    Module 5: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

    • Lesson 1: ARDS Definition & Risk Factors

    • Lesson 2: Application of Evidence-Based Strategy: ARDS Case Review

    • Lesson 3: Other Rescue Modes of Ventilation

    • Lesson 4: Rescue Strategies in ARDS

    • Lesson 5: Prone positioning

    • Lesson 6: What Goes Up Must Come Down

  • 8

    Module 6: Putting It All Together

    • Lesson 1: Asthma Case Study

    • Lesson 2: COPD Case Review
  • 9

    Module 7: Weaning

    • Lesson 1: SAT/SBT Basics

    • Lesson 2: Consideration of Special Populations
  • 10

    Wrap Up & Thank You!

    • Wrap Up & Thank You!
  • 11

    Course Quiz

    • Unveiling the Mysteries of Mechanical Ventilation Quiz
  • 12

    Course Evaluation

    • Unveiling the Mysteries of Mechanical Ventilation Evaluation

Instructors

MN, RN, CCNS, CCRN, PCCN

Nicole Kupchik

Nicole Kupchik has been a critical care nurse for over 25 years. Originally from Northwest Indiana, she worked as a traveling nurse and settled in Seattle, WA in 1998. She graduated from Purdue University in 1993 and in 2008 obtained a Master of Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from the University of Washington.

After moving to Seattle, Nicole took great interest in Resuscitation while working at Harborview Medical Center. She was part of a team who wrote one of the first protocols in the US for Therapeutic Hypothermia after cardiac arrest and has published numerous papers on the topic. In 2009, she led a team that launched an award-winning Sepsis Alert System.

In 2013, Nicole founded Nicole Kupchik Consulting, Inc. She has taught CCRN® & PCCN® Certification Review courses for over 10 years and has helped thousands of nurses achieve certification! She strongly believes every nurse can and should be board certified in their specialty!

In 2017, Nicole published "Ace the CCRN®: You Can Do It" Study Guide and Practice Question Book as well as well as "Ace the PCCN®: You Can Do It" Study Guide and Practice Question Book. In 2018, she published "Ace the CMC®: You Can Do It" Study Guide. "Ace the CSC®: You Can Do It!" Study Guide for the Cardiac Surgery Certification was published in March 2019. Her latest book, Critical Care Survival Guide was published in April 2023.

BS-HCM, RRT-ACCS

Karen LaRoche'

Karen LaRoche’ is a nationally recognized Registered Respiratory Therapist, educator, and clinical expert with over 30 years of real-world experience in advanced respiratory care. She currently serves as a Respiratory Clinical Specialist for MultiCare Health System, supporting high-acuity clinical teams across multiple hospital campuses and emergency departments through focused education, clinical mentorship, and practice advancement. Karen is the author of peer-reviewed publications and a sought-after local and national speaker, known for translating complex respiratory concepts into practical, actionable strategies clinicians can immediately apply at the bedside. Her teaching style is direct, engaging, and grounded in real clinical scenarios—making her a trusted resource for respiratory therapists, nurses, and healthcare leaders seeking to elevate performance and confidence in critical care environments. In her clinical specialist role, Karen leads system-wide competency initiatives, supports clinicians during new equipment and technology rollouts, and partners with interdisciplinary leaders to strengthen clinical readiness and patient-care outcomes. Her background includes extensive experience in critical care ventilation, emergency respiratory support, and clinical program development. Karen is actively engaged in professional leadership and advocacy, serving as a House of Delegates Representative to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) through the Respiratory Care Society of Washington. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management (BS-HCM) and the Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) credential, reflecting her commitment to advanced practice, professional excellence, and lifelong learning.

Accreditation

Nicole Kupchik Consulting, Inc. is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Provider number 16363. Approved for 10.25 CE Contact Hours.

Refund Policy

You may request a refund within 30 days of your purchase as long as you have not accessed the course in any way (including viewing, downloading, or streaming any materials). Refund Eligibility Requirements: 1. The refund request is made within 30 days of purchase. 2. No part of the course has been accessed.

Extension Policy

All single purchase courses will be limited to a maximum of one extension. The one-time extension is valid for 6 months @ 40% of the full cost of the course. Extension requests must be received via email at [email protected].

Expiration Time

Access to the course expires 1 year after purchase, regardless of when the course is accessed. Please note, courses are set to expire at 00:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on the expiry date.

For example, students in Pacific Standard Time (UTC 8 hrs ahead), will find their class expires at 4:00 PM PST. Due to the major time difference, we have set all courses to expire on day 366 so you receive a full year of access plus a few bonus hours.

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