Respiratory rate counting

Authors: Simulation and Certification Center

Editor: Rednenko V.V.

Clinical situation:

During first aid, a person complains of shortness of breath. Check his breathing rate.

Equipment for the practical skill:

• protective medical gloves;
• stopwatch;
• patient care simulator or simulated patient.

The procedure for performing a practical skill

• The respiratory rate is counted so that the person is not aware that you are taking it.
• Observe the chest or abdomen rise and fall.

• Count for 30 seconds if the rhythm is regular or for a full minute if irregular. One respiration includes a full respiratory cycle (including both inspiration and expiration). Thus, the rise and the fall of the abdomen or chest is counted as one full breath. 
• Take note of the respiration as breaths per minute, as well as whether breathing is relaxed, silent, and has a regular rhythm.
• Take note whether chest movement is symmetrical.
• Tell the patient the results.
• Register the result (if necessary).
• Treat your hands.