LEC 9.3: Respirations | Vitals

Inhalation/Inspiration

Refers to the intake of air into the lungs

Exhalation/Expiration

Refers to breathing out or the movement of gases from the lungs to the atmosphere

Ventilation

Movement of air into and out of the lungs

1. Hyperventilation

2. Hypoventilation

3. Respiratory Rhythm

4. Respiratory Quality or Character

5. Anxiety

6. Exercise

What are factors that affect respirations?

1. Exercise

2. Stress

3. Increased environmental temperature

4. Lowered oxygen concentration at increased altitudes

What are factors that may increase RR?

1. Decreased environmental temperature

2. Medications (like narcotics)

3. Increased intracranial pressure

What are factors that may decrease RR?

Hyperventilation

Deep rapid respiration

Hypoventilation

Shallow respiration

Respiratory Rhythm

Regularity of the expirations and inspirations

Respiratory Quality or Character

Refers to aspect of breathing that are different from normal

Effortless breathing

Help identify normal or abnormal patterns of breathing

Insight into potential respiratory of cardiovascular conditions

Client is relaxed

What should the nurse ensure before assessing respirations?

1. Client’s normal breathing pattern

2. Influence of client’s health problems on respirations

3. Medications or therapies that might affect respirations

4. Relationship of client’s respirations to cardiovascular

What should the nurse be aware of when assessing respirations?

The rise and fall of the client’s chest

How do we assess the client’s respirations?

1. Eupnea

2. Bradypnea

3. Tachypnea/Polypnea

4. Apnea

Breathing Patterns and Sounds

Eupnea

Breathing that is normal in rate and depth

Tachypnea or Polypnea

Abnormally fast respirations

Apnea

Absence of breathing

1. Volume

2. Rhythm

3. Ease or Effort

What are categories for breathing?

1. Hyperventilation

2. Hypoventilation

What are types of volume of breathing?

1. Biot Breathing

What are types of rhythm of breathing?

Biot Breathing

(Type of rhythm of breathing)

Several short breaths followed by long irregular periods of apnea

1. Dyspnea

2. Orthopnea

What are types of ease or effort of breathing?

Dyspnea

(Type of ease or effort of breathing)

Difficult and labored breathing

Orthopnea

(Type of ease or effort of breathing)

Ability to breathe only in upright sitting or standing positions