Essentials of Respiratory Care (Hardcover)
by Robert Kacmarek

Book Description
The new edition of this essential resource covers core areas of respiratory care in a convenient outline format that makes it a great quick-reference guide, a handy review tool for credentialing examinations, and a comprehensive reference guide for clinical practice. Key topics include basic science; anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, and neurological systems; and therapeutic aspects of neonatal, pediatric, and adult respiratory care. Also features extensive coverage of pharmacology and infection control.

• The convenient outline format breaks information down into manageable bits of information that make it ideal for study, review, and quick reference
• The comprehensive coverage of key topics from introductory material through therapeutic care consolidates the full spectrum of respiratory care into one essential resource

• Completely updated to reflect the significant advancements in the field of respiratory care
• Reflects the required core content of the most recent National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examination matrix, ensuring the most up-to-date competency requirements for certification
• Features new chapters on ventilatory management for obstructive pulmonary disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome, NIPPV, tracheal gas insufflation, prone positioning, and liquid ventilation
• A redesigned format provides easier navigation through the text

Ratings:

Excellent summary of everything you need for clinical year. This book is written in concise point-form format. Covers adult, pediatric and neonatal patient populations. Often referred to as the “bible” for RT clinical year.

Clinical Practitioners Pocket Guide to Respiratory Care (Hardcover)
by Dana F. Oakes

Book Description
Fourth edition of a pocket-sized quick reference on respiratory care, for nurses, therapists, and physicians. Extensive use of charts, diagrams, and lists. Looseleaf binder. Trim-size: 6.5 X 4.75 inches.

Ratings:

Pocket-sized binder that is easy to carry around for reference. Helpful tidbits on PFTs, ECG, CXR, ABG interpretations. Calculations, normals, charts and diagrams are helpful. Some pathophysiology included.  There is also a different version for the neonatal/pediatric population. This guide does not replace a textbook, but it comes in handy by the bedside .

Respiratory Care Anatomy And Physiology
by Will Beachey

Book Description
With an in-depth, clinical focus, this definitive new text teaches the basic anatomy of the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and renal systems. It also details the physiological principles underlying various therapeutic, diagnostic, and monitoring therapies and procedures -- all with depth and precision in each subject area. Each chapter includes: introduction, learning objectives, key terms, numerous tables and full-color drawings, "Clinical Focus" boxes, "Concept Questions" sprinkled throughout, chapter summary, and references.

* Focused clinical coverage -- the first to cover the subject with an in-depth and truly clinical focus. * Beautifully illustrated full-color text -- the only full-color respiratory care A&P text available! * Thorough coverage of the renal system and its role in maintaining acid-base balance and fluid volume as well as its effect on the health of the cardiopulmonary system. * Extensive cardiac section, including entire chapters on electrophysiology and ECG. * "Clinical Focus" boxes strategically placed within each chapter apply concepts from the classroom to clinical situations and challenge students to consider how their understanding of physiology will carry over to clinical practice. * "Concept Questions" throughout help students immediately evaluate their comprehension and retention of material. * Progressive learning objectives designed to challenge, provoke thought, and make learning interactive. * Key terms bolded throughout and defined at the back of the book, making learning and reviewing easier for the reader. * Student-friendly writing style presents challenging material in an engaging and understandable way.

Ratings:

This book may not be a good reference during clinical year, but extremely helpful for the final exam and licensing exam. Easy to read with good diagrams.  I recommend reading this book prior to clinical year, and right before the finals. Very good review of cardiovascular and renal systems (often overlooked).

Advanced Respiratory Therapist Exam Guide (Paperback)
by James Sills

Book Description
Advanced Respiratory Therapist Exam Guide prepares readers for every testable subject on both the written registry and clinical simulations portions of the NBRC registry examination both requirements to be awarded the RRT (registered respiratory therapist) credential. This new edition has been revised to directly tie in with the most recent NBRC examination matrix and content outline. Each chapter includes content review, self-assessment questions, and study hints. In addition, each chapter has NBRC-type review questions with rationales explaining why answers are correct or incorrect. Difficulty Level Codes and Examination Matrix Coding are also included, better preparing readers for the examination. The accompanying CD-ROM provides a pretest and posttest, each modeled on the real NBRC examination to more closely represent the functionality of the actual computer-based exam. The CD-ROM also includes 10 Clinical Simulations, reflecting the number on the actual exam. The software for these simulations is designed to mimic that used on the actual NBRC Clinical Simulations examination, providing users the opportunity to practice this difficult portion of the registry exam.

• Advanced Respiratory Therapist Exam prepares students for every testable subject on both the written registry and clinical simulations portions of the NBRC Registry Examination, both requirements to be awarded the RRT (registered respiratory therapist) credential.
• Each chapter includes content review, self-assessment questions, and study hints.
• In addition, rationales explaining why answers are correct or incorrect, Difficulty Level Codes, and Examination Matrix Coding will all be included, better preparing students for what to expect on the examination.
• The new edition will be expanded to directly tie in with the most recent Examination Matrix and Content outline; all new content areas will be addressed.

Ratings:

Although published in the USA for the NBRC registry examination, this book has very similar content that is tested on in the CBRC exam. Comes with a couple of mock examinations as well. This book is often updated to reflect the most current information.  Offers a chance to practice multiple choice questions prior to the finals. Easy to read, and offers helpful hints and tips to studying.

Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials (Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials (West)) (Paperback)
by John B West
Book Description
An introductory text for medical students and allied health students, and a review for residents and fellows preparing for licensing, covering ventilation, diffusion, blood flow and metabolism, ventilation-perfusion relationships, the mechanics of breathing, and tests of pulmonary function.

Ratings:

Small, easy to read book on respiratory physiology.  Builds on the basics of respiratory physiology.  Recommended as a good book to read prior to clinical year.  Although the material will not directly help towards getting ready for the final and national exams, it will give you an advantage in justifying your clinical decisions in regards to ventilation and oxygenation. I recommend reading Beachey’s Respiratory Care Anatomy and Physiology to build a better foundation on respiratory physiology prior to reading this book.