Which of the following rates of respiration should be reported immediately to a nurse?

Which of the following rates of respiration should be reported immediately to a nurse?

• A. 14 respirations per minute
• B. 19 respirations per minute
• C. Rate of respirations is not important to report
• D. 23 respirations per minute

Answer: (D)

Abnormal respiratory rate should be reported immediately to the nurse. For an adult, normal is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. A rate of 23 breaths per minute is faster than normal (tachypnea) and can signal respiratory distress, fever, pain, infection, or other problems that need prompt assessment and intervention. Rates like 14 and 19 are within the normal range, so they don’t require urgent reporting, though they should still be noted. Saying the rate isn’t important to report isn’t accurate because any value outside the normal range warrants timely communication.

Abnormal respiratory rate should be reported immediately to the nurse. For an adult, normal is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. A rate of 23 breaths per minute is faster than normal (tachypnea) and can signal respiratory distress, fever, pain, infection, or other problems that need prompt assessment and intervention. Rates like 14 and 19 are within the normal range, so they don’t require urgent reporting, though they should still be noted. Saying the rate isn’t important to report isn’t accurate because any value outside the normal range warrants timely communication.