Assessing respiration: Rate, Rhythm, and Effort

Perform hand hygiene before __________ interaction.

any patient

Ensure patient __________ throughout the assessment.

privacy

Introduce yourself to the patient, for example, saying, 'Alright, __________.'

Leonard

Identify the patient using __________ identifiers.

two

Request the patient to show their __________.

ID band

A patient's full identification includes their first name, last name, and __________.

date of birth

Factors that may affect respiration include exercise, anxiety, acute pain, smoking, and __________.

medications

Raise the bed and the head of the bed to an elevated position between __________ degrees.

45 to 60

Ensure the patient's chest is visible by adjusting bed, __________, or gown as needed.

linen

Position the patient's arm across the lower chest or the upper __________ for assessment.

abdomen

Observe a complete respiratory cycle consisting of 1 inspiration plus 1 __________.

expiration

If the respiratory rhythm is regular, count for __________ seconds and then multiply by 2.

30

A normal respiratory rate ranges from __________ to 20 breaths per minute.

12

If the respiratory rate is irregular or outside the normal range, count for a full __________ seconds.

60

Note the depth of respiration based on chest wall __________.

movement

Respiratory rhythm should be regular and uninterrupted except for occasional __________.

sighs

Look for signs of dyspnea and ask the patient about any __________ of breath.

shortness

After assessment, ensure the patient is __________.

comfortable

Compare the patient's current respiration with their previous __________.

baseline