Measuring Respirations.

[Thujone]

I was wondering if it was all right for the state skills exam to place your hand on the clients stomach to count respirations, or are you not allowed to do that, I live in N.C? I do this all the time in clinicals because most of the residents respirations are not easily countable by vision a lone for me, but I was thinking maybe the state test is different. On the other hand, I haven't seen anything saying that I could not touch their bellies to count.

[Hygiene Queen]

I don't know about the state exam, but know that when a pt is aware you are taking resps, they will typically change their breathing rate.

But I, too, have had to lay my hands on some pts because it's hard to tell sometimes.

Nice to hear you're trying to do it properly and accurately... because there is a whole vent thread going on about how aides make up vitals instead of doing them properly.

[Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN]

What I sometimes find myself doing: I set the patient's hand on their stomach. Grab the peripheral pulse on that hand and once I finish counting, without moving or saying anything, immediately start counting the rise and fall from their hand while you're still holding it to get the respirations.

Hope this makes sense and hope it helps!

[lillymom]

When you do the state testing in NC you will be partnered with someone else who is doing thier skills as well. I personally would not want someone putting thier hand on my stomach to count the respirations. I have always been taught to put your hand on their shoulder instead which is much more comfortable for me.

I am pretty sure they do allow you to put your hand on the person when you are taking respirations. I believe they told me that if you do anything extra it does not count against you unless you go outside the time limit. They just make sure that you get all their requirements in.

[ctmed]

The 'by the book' way I learned it is this.

- Have a watch with a second hand.

- Watch the chest go up and down for a full minute. Count. (Without telling them you are doing it)

- Put on vitals sheet and roll down the road.

I have found no need to touch them.

I will say that I do cheat and sometimes count for 15 seconds then multiply by 4, but only if the patient is breathing somewhat normally. If the breaths are super slow or very fast I do the full minute to make sure.

[Starletta, CNA]

.. because there is a whole vent thread going on about how aides make up vitals instead of doing them properly.

What????? OMG!

[Hygiene Queen]

What????? OMG!

Yes.... it's true.....

[susanlwins]

Watch chest rise and fall for respirations. It is easy if they are wearing a striped gown or shirt - just find where the stripes are moving. I always take their pulse for 30 seconds, multiply by 2, but then keep acting like I am still taking their pulse for the next 30 when what I am really doing is counting respirations. If you can't see their chest rising and falling, hold their wrist like you are taking pulse and put their hand across their chest, or what I like to do is put a hand behind their shoulder or on their back, and you can definitely feel their breathing there.