Physical Therapy Category

Beyond the Vent: Mechanical Ventilation, Oxygen Strategies, and Functional Recovery

2 CE Hours
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About the Course

This course expands beyond foundational concepts of mechanical ventilation and oxygen delivery to emphasize functional recovery, clinical decision-making, and interdisciplinary management of patients requiring advanced respiratory support. Rehabilitation professionals play a critical role in optimizing outcomes for patients across the continuum of respiratory support—from supplemental oxygen to invasive mechanical ventilation. This session will integrate respiratory physiology, ventilator strategies, and oxygen delivery systems with movement-based interventions and progression of function in medically complex patients.

Participants will develop a deeper understanding of how to interpret ventilator settings, titrate oxygen during activity, and adapt interventions in real time based on patient response, sedation status, and underlying pathology. Emphasis will be placed on safe mobilization, prevention of complications, and progression beyond early mobility toward meaningful functional recovery. Through case-based discussions and real-world clinical insights, learners will gain practical tools to: navigate complex ICU environments, collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, advocate for mobility in high-acuity patients, bridge the gap between respiratory support and functional independence. This course is designed for physical and occupational therapists seeking to enhance their confidence and clinical reasoning when working with patients on advanced respiratory support across acute and post-acute settings.

This course is based on the recorded webinar, Beyond the Vent: Mechanical Ventilation, Oxygen Strategies, and Functional Recovery created by Katelyn Whitlock in 2026.

Publication Details

Publication Date: Originally presented as a live event Jun 9th, 2026

Presenter and Course Creator

Katelyn Whitlock, PT, DPT, MSEd, CCS

Katelyn Whitlock is a faculty member in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Brenau University. She is a Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist and currently practices as an physical therapist primarily in the CVICU. She currently serves as the co-chair of the PT in Critical Care Clinical Practice Guidelines committee. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Emory University in May 2018, followed by the completion of Emory’s Acute Care Residency in 2019. Prior to her DPT, she obtained both her bachelors and masters degrees in Exercise Physiology from the University of Virginia. She is passionate about ICU rehabilitation and outcomes especially for complex patient populations including mechanical circulatory support and ECMO. Dr. Whitlock is actively involved in research and has presented at local and national conferences on topics including ICU physical therapy, ECMO, advanced mechanical support, and COVID-19.

Katelyn Whitlock authored the material only, and was not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Target Audience

This webinar is intended for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, and Occupational Therapy Assistants. (PT, PTA, OT, COTA)

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Interpret mechanical ventilation modes, settings, and advanced oxygen delivery strategies in the context of patient physiology and pathology.
  2. 2 Apply clinical decision-making frameworks to safely initiate, progress, and modify mobility interventions for patients receiving respiratory support.
  3. 3 Differentiate appropriate oxygen delivery strategies during rest and activity and implement safe titration principles within the therapist’s scope.
  4. 4 Identify and manage common barriers to functional recovery, including sedation, delirium, respiratory distress, and hemodynamic instability.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

2 CEU hours
Eligible until Jan 2nd, 2030
CE Learning Systems, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course activity approval ID# 15894. This Distance Learning–Independent activity is offered at 0.2 CEUs, Intermediate, Service Delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
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Logo: American Occupational Therapy Association

Physical Therapy Board of California (PTBC)

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2028
CE Learning Systems is an accredited provider by the California Board of Physical Therapy. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
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Florida Board of Occupational Therapy (FBOT)

2 CE credit hours CE Broker logo 20-1404967
Eligible until Dec 31st, 2028
CE Learning Systems, LLC is approved by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy to sponsor continuing education for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content. CE Broker Provider Number 50-315
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Michigan Board of Physical Therapy

2 CE credit hours CE Broker logo 20-1404967
Eligible until Dec 31st, 2028
Impact CE, a service of CE Learning Systems, is approved by the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy (Provider # 50-315).
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New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Jul 16th, 2028
CE Learning Systems (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.
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New York State Education Department's State Board for Occupational Therapy (NYSED BOT)

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Apr 10th, 2031
CE Learning Systems (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Occupational Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants.
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Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board - Physical Therapy (OTPTAT)

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until Jun 9th, 2027
This course is approved by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association for PTs and PTAs. OPTA approval number #####.
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Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

2 CE credit hours
Eligible until May 30th, 2028
This activity has been approved by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 2 CCUs for PTs and PTAs. APS # 2805075TX. Accreditation Period: 6/1/25-5/31/28
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Course Materials

Video
Paid material

  • Beyond the Vent: Mechanical Ventilation, Oxygen Strategies, and Functional Recovery

    Enroll and start the course to view these materials.

  • Presentation Slides

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