Basic Nursing SkillsQuestion 75 of 200
When counting respirations, the CNA should:
a.Count without telling the resident (often immediately after taking pulse, keeping fingers on wrist) to avoid alteration of natural breathing
b.Announce 'I am counting your breathing now'
c.Ask the resident to breathe deeply during the count
d.Have the resident hold breath, then count
Explanation
Awareness of being observed alters the natural respiratory pattern, causing the resident to breathe faster, slower, or deeper. Best practice: keep fingers on the radial pulse after counting pulse and continue to count respirations covertly, observing chest rise and noting depth, rhythm, and effort. Announcements (b), instructions to alter pattern (c), and breath-holding (d) all produce inaccurate readings. Accurate respiratory rate is a sensitive early indicator of deterioration in sepsis, pneumonia, and cardiac compromise.
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