Measuring respiratory rate

Question 1

Describe the method to measure respiratory rate?

Answer 1

Count number of times that patient’s chest and abdomen rises

Question 2

What is the time duration of measuring respiratory rate?

Answer 2

15 seconds, then multiply number by 4

30 seconds, then multiply number by 2

Overall time must be a minute

Question 3

When would you measure respiratory rate continuously for a minute?

Answer 3

Patient has abnormal/irregular breathing rhythm

Question 4

When should you measure respiratory rate relative to other vitals?

Answer 4

Try to measure immediately after measuring pulse/heart rate

Question 5

After you have obtained the respiratory rate value, how should you record the value?

Answer 5

In NEWS

Question 6

Why should respiratory rate be measured at rest?

Answer 6

Patient movement and change in position can cause inaccurate measurements

Question 7

Why should respiratory rate ideally be measured when patient is distracted?

Answer 7

Patient might try to control their breathing if they are aware and thinking that you are counting, so will cause inaccurate measurement

Question 8

What is the normal range for respiration range in adults?

Answer 8

12-20 bpm

Question 9

What term is used to describe respiratory rate under 12 bpm in adults?

Answer 9

Bradypnea: abnormally slow respiratory rate

Question 10

What term is used to describe respiratory rate over 20 bpm in adults?

Answer 10

Tachypnea: abnormally fast respiratory rate

Question 11

How is respiratory rate affected by metabolic acidosis, and what is the term for the resp rate in this situation?

Answer 11

Blood acid level becomes too high (metabolic acidosis) and can be toxic, so resp rate increases to remove excess acid in form of carbon dioxide

Kussmaul breathing: Form of tachypnea characterised by rapid, deep breathing at consistent rate

Question 12

Give 2 common types of metabolic acidosis that can cause tachypnea in form of Kussmaul breathing?

Answer 12

Diabetic ketoacidosis: build up of ketones, which are acidic

Renal tubular acidosis: unable to excrete acid properly

Question 13

Why does exercise cause tachypnea?

Answer 13

To increase oxygen supply so that demands of energy generation for muscle contraction can be met

Increased carbon dioxide level in blood also increases acidity

Question 14

How can anxiety and emotional distress affect respiratory rate?

Answer 14

Increased adrenaline level, which causes resp rate to increase as part of fight or flight response

Question 15

Give 4 lung conditions that can cause tachypnea?

Answer 15

Asthma
PE
Pneumonia
COPD

Question 16

How does shock affect respiratory rate?

Answer 16

Shock (eg. anaphylactic shock) causes tachypnea

Question 17

How does fever affect respiratory rate?

Answer 17

Fever causes tachypnea, to meet demands of increased metabolism due to immune response

Question 18

If a patient has/suspected to have sepsis, what is the characteristic presentation of their respiratory rate?

Answer 18

Tachypnea, due to septic fever

Question 19

How do head injuries affect respiratory rate?

Answer 19

Bradypnea, as trauma to areas around brainstem and spinal cord which control breathing can stop them from stimulating lungs and muscles to inhale and exhale

Question 20

How can drug overdose affect respiratory rate?

Answer 20

Bradypnea caused as result of opioid-induced respiratory depression

Question 21

How can obesity affect respiratory rate?

Answer 21

Obesity causes tachypnea due to fat deposition in airways which narrows them, leading to respiration resistance