It looks like a RR of 20

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Has anyone ever not taken a true set of vital signs. I always do it but I have to admit....I've cut it down to counting 10 secs and then multiply for non acute patients, say an ESI 4-5, but otherwise I count for at least 30 seconds. Some of my colleagues say they don't unless it's a dyspnea or chest pain, ect. How does anyone else feel about this? I feel it's disceptive.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

I must admit that I do the same thing. Any c/p, sob - any cardiac or respiratory, really - gets a full RR count, also those with suspected o/d or just had narcs, obviously, but everyone else, 10-15 secs then multiplied is what I usually do. I see a lot of nurses, especially when triage is backed up, just write 18 or 20 and leave it at that.

This also brings up a question I have. Do you get a set of vitals for 4's and 5's upon d/c? My facility doesn't require it, and I see some nurses that do and some that don't. Sometimes we do have back pain pts that have gotten PO narcs with us, or IM Toradol, and I just felt it was good to have them. Some I work with feel it's a waste of time.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Guilty---If they are all by all accounts stable and not in any distress I count and multiply, it is not like i am only in the room for 20 seconds, I do a complete assessment and if they can maintain normal and fluent speech pattern and thier resp are even and non labored I feel comfortable just counting for the 15 sec and multiply.

Each situation is different, if resp is one of thier problems then they get the full min.

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I'm a student and we've actually been taught to multiply if there are no irregularities.

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yes I agree with all posts so far. As far as esi's of 4-5 if we do any meds or intervention, we have to revital upon discharge.

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Specializes in ER.

I eyeball and guesstimate if they are clinic patients and nonrespiratory problem.

Respiratory problem they get a full resp assessment, of course.

If they are level 3 count and multiply.

Sick enough to be brought back I count in triage, and once they are settled.

Every once in awhile I count on a few of the nonurgent patients to make sure my eyeballing is within 2bpm.

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Specializes in ICU.

you can tell if a resp rate is regular. there is no reason not to count it for 15 sec and multiply. if however it is irregular, then a full minute is prudent. :smokin:

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, ICU.

I can't think of the last time I really counted resp. rate. I usually just estimate. And commonly it's either 12, 18, 26, 30, 36, 46

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

I can see a RR from across the room, only ones I count are as stated above and infants, those little pipsqueaks I have to count :)

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Specializes in ER, telemetry.
I can see a RR from across the room, only ones I count are as stated above and infants, those little pipsqueaks I have to count :)

:yeahthat:

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