Abnormal Breathing and Pulse Reference Ranges

Hyperventilation

Fast/Rapid breathing.

Possible Causes

• Intense pain

• Anxiety

• Panic attacks

Hyperpnea

Excessively deep breathing.

• Possible Causes:

  • Extreme pain

  • Anxiety

Dyspnea

Difficult or painful breathing.

• Possible Causes:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

  • Pneumonia

  • Asthma

  • High altitudes

  • Physical exertion

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing unless in the upright position.

• Possible Causes:

  • Congestive heart failure

  • COPD

Wheezing

Whistling sound during breathing.

• Possible Causes:

  • Asthma

Rales

Small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds.

• Possible Causes:

  • Fluid in air sacs

  • Pneumonia

Rhonchi

Large airway sounds.

• Possible Causes:

  • COPD

  • Chronic bronchitis

  • Pneumonia

Respiratory Rate (Adolescent and older)

12 to 20 breaths/min.

Respiratory Rate (School-age child)

18 to 25 breaths/min.

Respiratory Rate (Preschooler)

20 to 28 breaths/min.

Respiratory Rate (Toddler)

22 to 37 breaths/min.

Respiratory Rate (Infant)

30 to 53 breaths/min.

Pulse (Adolescent and older)

60 to 100 beats/min.

Pulse (School-age child)

75 to 118 beats/min.

Pulse (Preschooler)

80 to 120 beats/min.

Pulse (Toddler)

98 to 140 beats/min.

Pulse (Infant)

100 to 180 beats/min.