NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)
Nursing Foundation
Easy
A respiration rate above 35 per minute is known as?
Appeared in: NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)
Explanation
- Tachypnea is the medical term for an abnormally rapid respiratory rate.
- The normal respiratory rate for an adult at rest (eupnea) is 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
- A rate greater than 20 breaths per minute is defined as tachypnea.
- The question describes a rate of 35 breaths per minute, which is significantly elevated and clearly falls into the category of tachypnea, often indicating severe respiratory distress.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: Bradypnea refers to an abnormally slow respiratory rate, specifically less than 12 breaths per minute in an adult.
- Option C: Eupnea describes a normal, unlabored respiratory rate, which for an adult is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.
- Option D: Bradycardia is a term related to heart rate, not respiratory rate. It signifies a slow heart rate, specifically less than 60 beats per minute.
Related Visual
- Visual 1: Chart: A visual chart comparing the values for Eupnea, Tachypnea, and Bradypnea in adults, children, and infants. This helps in memorizing the normal and abnormal ranges across different age groups.
- Visual 2: Infographic: An infographic illustrating the common causes of tachypnea, such as fever, anxiety, pneumonia, and metabolic acidosis, linking the symptom to underlying conditions.
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Terminology for abnormal respiratory rates as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Respiratory rate is a critical vital sign and one of the most sensitive indicators of acute clinical deterioration. A rate above 27 breaths/min is a strong predictor of cardiac arrest.
- When a nurse identifies tachypnea (especially a rate over 30-35/min), immediate actions include placing the patient in an upright (Fowler's) position, assessing for airway patency and work of breathing, applying oxygen as per protocol, and notifying the healthcare provider.
- What if? If the patient's respiratory rate was 10 breaths per minute instead of 35, the nurse would identify this as bradypnea. The immediate concern would shift to potential causes like opioid overdose, head injury, or severe metabolic alkalosis, and interventions would focus on stimulation, assessing level of consciousness, and possibly administering naloxone if an opioid overdose is suspected.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key information in the question: 'respiration rate' and 'above 35 per minute'.
- Recognize that this is a factual recall question testing your knowledge of medical terminology for vital signs.
- Recall the definitions for the given options. Associate 'tachy-' with 'fast' and 'brady-' with 'slow'.
- Compare the given rate (35/min) with the standard ranges. The normal adult range is 12-20/min.
- Since 35 is well above 20, select the term for fast breathing: Tachypnea.
- Eliminate other options: Bradypnea is slow, Eupnea is normal, and Bradycardia relates to heart rate, not breathing.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Terminology for abnormal respiratory rates
- Stem keywords: respiration rate, 35 per minute
- Lead-in keywords: known as
- Clinical cues: Respiratory rate of 35/min signifies severe respiratory distress.
Question ID
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