Today’s NCLEX®-LPN question of the day focuses on respiratory rate. Do you know the answer? Let’s find out!
The nurse is working in the emergency department. For which patient(s) does the nurse identify the respiratory rate to be abnormal? Select all that apply.
A. A 34-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
B. A 16-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min.
C. A 7-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min.
D. A 3-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 36 breaths/min.
E. A 2-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 26 breaths/min.
F. An infant with a respiratory rate of 66 breaths/min.
Scroll down for the correct answer!
The correct answers to today’s NCLEX-PN® Question is…
D. A 3-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 36 breaths/min.
Rationale: For preschoolers from 3 to 5, normal respiratory rate ranges from 22 to 34 breaths/min.
F. An infant with a respiratory rate of 66 breaths/min.
Rationale: Infants under one year of age normally have the fastest respiratory rate, which ranges from 30 to 60 breaths per minute.
Main Takeaway
The respiratory rate refers to the number of breaths a client takes in one minute. Normal respiratory rate varies among different age groups. For adults, it is typically between 12 and 20. The normal respiratory rate for adolescents between 12 and 20 years old is 15 to 20. For school-aged children between 5 and 12 years old, it is from 15 to 25. For preschoolers from 3 to 5, it is from 22 to 34, and toddlers from 1 to 3 have a normal respiratory rate of 24 to 40. Infants under one year of age normally have the fastest respiratory rate, which ranges from 30 to 60 breaths per minute.
Incorrect Answer Explanations
A. A 34-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
Rationale: For adults, it is typically between 12 and 20 breaths/min.
B. A 16-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min.
Rationale: For adolescents between 12 and 20 years old, the normal respiratory rate is 15 to 20 breaths/min.
C. A 7-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min.
Rationale: For children between 5 and 12 years old, respirations are from 15 to 25 breaths/min.
E. A 2-year-old patient with a respiratory rate of 26 breaths/min.
Rationale: Toddlers from ages 1 to 3 have a normal respiratory rate of 24 to 40 breaths/min.
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Watch the Osmosis video: Vital signs – Respirations: Nursing skills
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