Vital Signs: Respiratory Rate & Oxygen Saturation

What is the unit of measurement for RR?

Breaths per minute

Normal RR: Children

18-30 breaths/min

What is Respiratory Rate (RR)?

Measurement of either a person's inspiration or expiration

What makes up ONE respiration?

One inspiration and one expiration

Normal RR: Infants

30-60 breaths/min

Normal RR: Adults

12-16 breaths/min

Define dyspnea

shortness of breath

Define apnea

absence of breathing

define orthopnea

difficulty breathing when recumbent

define tachypnea

rapid breathing, more than 20 breaths/min

Why should you not tell the patient when you are measuring RR?

To avoid inaccurate results

When and how can you observe RR? What tools can you use?

Measure it during measurement of HR. You can watch the patient breath or place a hand on their shoulder, thorax or abdomen to feel the breath. You can also use a stethoscope

How long should you measure RR?

1 minute

What factors can affect RR?

Age, body size/stature, exercise, positioning, emotions, altitude, pathology

What is a normal RR response to exercise?

increased with exercise proportional to the activity

What is a abnormal RR response to exercise?

-Does not increase with exercise
-Slow to decrease after exercise stops
-Irregular in rate or rhythm

what is oxygen saturation (SpO2)?

Measures the level of blood oxygen saturation

What tool is used to measure SpO2?

Pulse oximeter

What is the unit of measurement for SpO2?

Percentage %

What are normal levels for SpO2?

95%-100%

What is defined as Hypoxemia?

SpO2 <90%

What factors can affect SpO2?

Higher elevation (lower SpO2) and pathology (COPD, cardiac arrhythmias)

What are some things that affect the actual reading of SpO2?

-Nail polish/fake nails
-bright lighting
-temperature
-poor circulation

What is the normal SpO2 response to exercise?

Remains stable, slight decrease

what is an abnormal SpO2 response to exercise?

Decreases drastically