Procedure Checklists

NATCEP

Chapter 29

Counting Respirations

TM

VII DEO
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Procedure
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Followed Delegation Guidelines: Counting Respirations.

Kept your fingers or stethoscope over the pulse site.
Did not tell the person you were counting respirations.
Began counting when the chest rose. Counted each rise and fall of
the chest as 1 respiration.
Noted the following:
a. If respirations were regular
b. If both sides of the chest rose equally
c. The depth of the respirations
d. If the person had any pain or difficulty breathing
e. An abnormal respiratory pattern
Counted respirations for 30 seconds. Multiplied the number by 2
for the number of respirations in 60 seconds (1 minute).
Counted respirations for 1 minute if:
a. Directed by the nurse and care plan.
b. Required by agency policy.
c. They were abnormal or irregular.
d. Required for your state competency test.
Noted the persons name, respiratory rate, and other observations
on your note pad or assignment sheet.

Comments

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Post-Procedure
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Provided for comfort.

Placed the call light and other needed items within reach.
Unscreened the person.
Completed a safety check of the room.
Practiced hand hygiene.
Reported and recorded the respiratory rate and your observations.
Reported abnormal respirations at once.

Date of Satisfactory Completion

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