Your Prescription Drug Destination
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Respiratory Rate
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Your respiratory rate is measured in number of breaths
per minute. For most people it's typically 12 to 20. The rate
increases during exercise, excitement, pain, and fever. It
declines during relaxation and sleep.
Your doctor may want regular readings of your respiratory
rate if you have a lung disease or other illness, or are taking
a medicine that can suppress respiration. Often, readings are
needed before and after exercise.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO
Mere awareness of your breathing is enough to change your
respiratory rate, so taking your own count is not recommended.
For a more accurate measurement, have someone else take the
reading.
To Count
Respirations
You'll need a watch or clock with a second hand. Keep
count for a full 60 seconds. (If you wish, you may count for 30
seconds and multiply the number by 2.) The person should be
seated. Place your hand on the upper chest to feel it rise and
fall. Each rise/fall cycle counts as one respiration. Note
whether the individual's breathing is deep (slow) or shallow
(fast). Write down anything else you notice about the breathing
(for example, regularity or irregularity).
Call Your Doctor
If...
-
The respiratory rate is
faster or slower than your doctor said it should
be.
Seek Care Immediately
If...
-
The rate is extremely fast or
slow.
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