This page discusses respiratory assessments, emphasizing the components of upper and lower airway assessments. It outlines the importance of monitoring vital signs and respiratory efforts, and highlig...This page discusses respiratory assessments, emphasizing the components of upper and lower airway assessments. It outlines the importance of monitoring vital signs and respiratory efforts, and highlights subjective questions to gather patient information about respiratory symptoms. The page describes the process of assessing signs like breathing patterns, lung sounds, and chest condition.
The normal range of a respiratory rate for an adult is 12-20 breaths per minute at rest, and the normal range for oxygen saturation of the blood is 94–98% (SpO₂) [3] . Bradypnea is less than 12 breath...The normal range of a respiratory rate for an adult is 12-20 breaths per minute at rest, and the normal range for oxygen saturation of the blood is 94–98% (SpO₂) [3] . Bradypnea is less than 12 breaths per minute, and tachypnea is greater than 20 breaths per minute. Break up the assessment by listening to the anterior lung sounds and then the heart sounds and allowing the patient to rest before listening to the posterior lung sounds.
