US Medical Term · procedures
Respiratory Therapy
Terapia respiratoria
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Respiratory Therapy |
| Spanish (Español) | Terapia respiratoria |
| Chinese (中文) | 呼吸治療 |
| Korean (한국어) | 호흡기 치료 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Liệu pháp hô hấp |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Respiratory therapy |
| Portuguese (Português) | Terapia respiratória |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การบำบัดทางเดินหายใจ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 呼吸療法 |
What it means
Respiratory therapy is care provided by a licensed respiratory therapist to evaluate, treat, and manage patients with breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary conditions. It includes administering aerosol medications, operating mechanical ventilators, teaching patients to use inhalers and home oxygen equipment, performing pulmonary function tests, and supporting patients during respiratory emergencies. Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, ICUs, pulmonary clinics, and home care settings. They help manage conditions such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and respiratory failure. Sessions may be brief or extended depending on the patient's condition and setting.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
The respiratory therapist adjusted my ventilator settings during my ICU stay.
El terapeuta respiratorio ajustó la configuración de mi ventilador durante mi estadía en la UCI.
I received respiratory therapy in the hospital for my COPD exacerbation.
Recibí terapia respiratoria en el hospital por mi exacerbación de EPOC.
Does my outpatient respiratory therapy require a referral from my pulmonologist?
¿Mi terapia respiratoria ambulatoria requiere una derivación de mi neumólogo?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026