Respiration counting and Respiratory Abnormalities
The respiratory rate is counted by noting the outward and inward movements of the anterior chest wall and anterior abdominal wall per minute. Normal respiratory rate is 16-20/minute. The adequacy of respiration is judged by holding a hand in front of the nose and feeling the blast of air as the patient breathes out.
Respiration can be abnormal as shown in the following table.
Respiratory Abnormalities
Type Causes
Rapid – Lack of oxygen at the tissue level which might be due to low oxygen content in the inspired air, diseases of the lungs or heart, low hemoglobin level, or shock
Slow – depression of respiratory center
Stridor – Partial airway obstruction during inspiration, expiration, or both
Shallow – Painful conditions of chest wall such as fracture of ribs
Granting – Pneumonia
Gasping – Usually in a dying patient
Cheyne –Stokes – The interval between successive breaths goes on increasing until the breathing appears to have ceased. Then it starts all over again
