Vital signs
Respiratory Rate
For education. Check every result.
Anatium is a study resource, not medical advice. Nothing here is a diagnosis, a prescription or a substitute for a clinician who has seen the patient. Check every number against a current local protocol before it touches anyone, and never act on a result you cannot reproduce yourself.
Reference range
| Adolescent & adult (12+ years) | 12 to 20 /min |
| Child (1-12 years) | 18 to 30 /min |
| Infant (<1 year) | 30 to 60 /min |
| Neonate (<28 days) | 40 to 60 /min |
About
Breaths per minute, and the most neglected observation on the chart. A rising rate is often the FIRST sign of deterioration, hours before pulse or blood pressure move.
When it is low
Bradypnea: May indicate CNS depression, opioid overdose, metabolic alkalosis, or hypothyroidism
When it is high
Tachypnea: May indicate hypoxia, pain, anxiety, fever, metabolic acidosis, PE, or pneumonia
How it is measured
Count for 30 sec × 2. Observe depth and pattern. Most sensitive early warning sign.
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