Respirations (the process of taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide)

1. Respirations(the process of taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide) Variables to assess • Rate – number of breaths in one minute • Adults: 12-20 • Children: 16-25 • Infants: 30-50 tachypnea-respiratory rate too high bradypnea-respiratory rate too low • Rhythm – regularity of respirations (spacing between breaths) • Regular or irregular • Character – depth and quality of respiration • Described by words such as deep, shallow, labored, difficult, stertorous, moist

2. Abnormal Respirations Dyspnea – difficult or labored breathing Apnea – absence of respirations Orthopnea – severe dyspnea in which breathing is difficult in any position other than sitting up or standing Cheyne-Stokes respirations – periods of dyspnea followed by periods of apnea; usually seen in a dying patient Rales – bubbling or crackling sounds caused by fluid or mucous in the air passages Wheezing – high-pitched whistling sound during expiration; caused by narrowing of air passages; usually seen during asthma Cyanosis – dusky, bluish discolorations of the skin, lips or mucous membranes caused by decreased oxygen