PROCEDURE IN COUNTING RESPIRATIONS

MATERIALS NEEDED:
Watch with second hand.
Jot down notebook and pen.

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR RATIONALE

ASSESSMENT:
1. Assess patient’s respiratory rate,
depth and position.
2. Evaluate any abnormalities noted
during inspection and palpation or
by percussion and auscultations.
3. Assess presence of dyspnea or
cyanosis.
4. Assess for presence of abnormal
sounds such as stertorous breathing
5. Assess if necessary muscles are
used for breathing.
PLANNING: Objectives are:
6. To note respiratory rate, rhythm and
depth.
7. To establish baseline information
upon admission to the unit.
8. To note labored breathing, difficult
or noisy respirations or cyanosis.
9. To identify alterations in respiratory
pattern resulting from disease
condition.
10. To compare if respiratory rate in
within normal range with pulse and
blood pressure readings.

IMPLEMENTATION:
Obtaining the Respiratory Rate:
11. While the fingers are still in place
on the patient’s radial pulse site and
over the chest, after counting the
pulse rate, observe the patients
respiration.
12. Note the rise and fall of patient’s
chest and or abdomen. This
observation can be made without
disturbing the patient’s bed and
clothing.
13. Count the number of respiration for
 one whole minute.
14. If respirations are abnormal in
anyway, repeat to determine
accurately the rate and
characteristic of the breathing.
15. Document and report pertinent
assessment data.

EVALUATION:
16. Regular rate of breathing and
symmetrical respiratory excursion
is established.
17. Patients exhibits quiet, effortless
breathing.
DOCUMENTATION:
Note for:
18. Rate and rhythm of respirations.
19. Abnormal sounds associated with
breathing.
20. Effectiveness of therapy if needed
to correct respiratory problems.
21. Alterations from baseline
respiratory patterns.