In a patient, a respiration rate of 34 b/m is known as?

Appeared in: NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Explanation

Tachypnea is the medical term for an abnormally rapid respiratory rate, specifically defined as greater than 20 breaths per minute in an adult.
The patient's measured respiratory rate of 34 breaths/minute is significantly above the normal upper limit of 20, thus classifying it as tachypnea.
This condition is often an early sign of respiratory distress or systemic issues like fever, acidosis, or hypoxia, where the body increases the breathing rate to improve gas exchange.

Option B: Eupnea describes a normal, healthy respiratory rate for an adult, which is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. A rate of 34 is too high to be considered eupnea.
Option C: Apnea refers to the complete absence or cessation of breathing for a period. It is a lack of respiration, not a rapid rate.
Option D: Bradypnea is the opposite of tachypnea; it signifies an abnormally slow breathing rate, specifically less than 12 breaths per minute in an adult. The patient's rate of 34 is fast, not slow.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Interpretation of Respiratory Rate Terminology to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Assessing the respiratory rate is a critical nursing skill, as it is one of the most sensitive indicators of acute clinical deterioration. A change in rate often precedes changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
Tachypnea is a crucial sign that prompts further nursing investigation to identify the underlying cause, which could range from anxiety and pain to life-threatening conditions like sepsis or pulmonary embolism.
What if the patient's respiratory rate was 10 breaths/minute? In that case, the correct term would be Bradypnea, indicating an abnormally slow breathing rate, which would prompt assessment for causes like opioid medication, brain injury, or metabolic alkalosis.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key information in the question: the respiratory rate is '34 b/m' (breaths per minute).
Next, recall the standard medical terminology for different respiratory rates in an adult.
Compare the given rate (34) to the known ranges: Eupnea (normal) is 12-20, Bradypnea (slow) is less than 12, and Tachypnea (fast) is greater than 20.
Since 34 is greater than 20, it matches the definition of Tachypnea.
Eliminate the other options based on their definitions: Eupnea is normal, Apnea is the absence of breathing, and Bradypnea is slow breathing.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Interpretation of Respiratory Rate Terminology
Stem keywords: respiration rate, 34 b/m
Lead-in keywords: known as
Clinical cues: Respiratory rate of 34 b/m indicates a significant deviation from the normal range.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 pp. 23-25, 22-24

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 3 p. 1-3

Practise the full NORCET 2 - 2021 (shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.