How do you obtain a respiratory rate?

Answer 1

This one is simple, just watch the patients chest for breathing movements for one min. (or 30sec x 2, or 15sec x 4 ect...) The result should be amount of breaths per minute. A normal individual will breath at rest about 12-16 per minute.

Important additional information:Newborns rates can be much higher at an average rate of 44 breaths per minute. Also a tip, don't let the person know you are trying to count their respirations, they will be aware of it and often breathe slower. helpful hints:It is better to get the respiratory rate for one whole minute rather multiplying it either by 30sec x 2 or 15sec x 4 because you might not get an accurate respiratory rate. you can also proceed to get the respiratory rate once you're finished getting the pulse rate and pretend you are still getting the pulse rate so that the patient cannot manipulate his/her breathing pattern.

Answer 2

Just count the number of respirations in 30 seconds and multiply by 2. If the movements are too subtle to notice them just by eye, place your hand on his/her upper abdomen and count when the chest lifts up.

Answer 3

Because it can be an indication of whether the patient is breathing normally or not. It's also useful to medical staff to know the history of the patients breathing before they get to hospital.

Answer 4

By observation. "Normal" is about 12 per minute for an adult, up to 20 per minute for a child.