Respiration counting

I appear to be taking apical pulse with stethoscope , , but count resp for 15-30 sec.... And multiply..... But trust me you can visualize a resp distress rate of 40 or so, upon entering room.... My assessments, start with visual.....

Impressed that you realize the value of an accurate respiratory rate. As sally said, you could distract the patient by using your scope. You need to count for 30 seconds. However, after experience you will know .. visually.. that anything over 18 .. is TOO fast.

Keep up the good work.

I still use the radial pulse trick. Very few patients or families have said anything about it. Still it's easy to explain that machines aren't 100% accurate and there is good reason to verify manually. Plus I like to know the strength and character of the pulse which the machine doesn't tell me.

I still use the radial pulse trick. Very few patients or families have said anything about it. Still it's easy to explain that machines aren't 100% accurate and there is good reason to verify manually. Plus I like to know the strength and character of the pulse which the machine doesn't tell me.

The character of one peripheral pulse is pretty meaningless without checking both sides, uppers and lowers, and checking other physical assessment characteristics.

The character of one peripheral pulse is pretty meaningless without checking both sides, uppers and lowers, and checking other physical assessment characteristics.

The person you quoted said nothing to indicate that he or she was limiting their assessment to only that one peripheral pulse.

Edit: Wanted to add another 'kudos' to the count for OP caring about something we all know gets disregarded more often than not.

Acting like your taking an apical pulse with your stethy works like a charm! :)

The person you quoted said nothing to indicate that he or she was limiting their assessment to only that one peripheral pulse.

Edit: Wanted to add another 'kudos' to the count for OP caring about something we all know gets disregarded more often than not.

I interpreted it differently from you, and since this is something open to interpretation I'm allowed to give my opinion.

I interpreted it differently from you, and since this is something open to interpretation I'm allowed to give my opinion.

That person was countering the content of your post and said nothing about you not having a right to give your opinion.

I check radial pulse and resp rate together with fingers still on the pulse as though I'm still counting it, I watch the chest area for both assessments and try to look as though I'm just trying to focus on feeling the rate and counting, so when i switch to counting resp rate the patient doesnt notice a change. If they ask about the pulse rate on the sats monitor I tell the truth and say that that reading is not always accurate and that I can get a better one from doing it manually as well as get more information by actually feeling the pulse for myself.