The respiration rate (RR) is simply a count of the number of breaths a person takes over the course of one minute. This measurement is categorized as one of the fundamental vital signs, providing immediate insight into a person’s physical state and lung function. Monitoring the respiration rate is an often-overlooked step in basic health assessment, yet it offers a direct look at the body’s ability to maintain a proper balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. A deviation from the expected resting rate can be one of the earliest indicators that the body is under stress or compensating for an underlying issue.
The Step-by-Step Method for Accurate Measurement
Obtaining a truly accurate respiration rate requires the subject to be completely at rest and unaware that their breathing is being monitored. If a person knows their breathing is being counted, they will often subconsciously alter the rate and depth, which leads to an unreliable measurement. A highly effective technique is to count the breaths immediately after taking the person’s pulse, keeping your fingers on the wrist as if you are still checking the radial pulse. This distraction ensures a more natural, resting breathing pattern is captured.
You must use a clock or watch with a second hand to time the count precisely. One complete respiration is counted as a single cycle of the chest or abdomen rising (inhalation) and falling (exhalation). Observe the movement of the chest or the stomach, which is typically easier to see, and count each complete rise and fall as one breath.
For most healthy adults with a consistent breathing rhythm, you can count the breaths for 30 seconds and then multiply that number by two to determine the rate per minute. However, if the breathing pattern appears irregular, or if you are counting the rate for a child, it is necessary to count for a full 60 seconds to ensure the most accurate reflection of the rate. The goal is not just to get a number but to also note the depth and rhythm of the breaths, observing if they are shallow, deep, or paused.
Understanding Normal Respiratory Rates by Age
Interpreting the respiration rate requires knowing the expected baseline for a person’s age, as the normal range changes significantly from infancy to adulthood. Newborns and young children naturally have much faster resting rates than older individuals due to their smaller lung capacity and higher metabolic demands. The respiratory rate steadily decreases as an individual grows and matures physically.
For a healthy, resting adult, the normal respiration rate generally falls between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. A rate consistently below 12 or above 20 in an adult is generally considered outside the expected range and may warrant further attention. The normal ranges for children are much higher and vary by age group.
Normal Resting Respiratory Rates
These figures are specific to individuals at rest, as factors like physical activity, anxiety, or fever can temporarily increase the rate.
- Infants (birth to one year): 30 to 60 breaths per minute.
- Toddlers (one to three years): 24 to 40 breaths per minute.
- Older children (six to twelve years): 18 to 30 breaths per minute.
- Adolescents (13 to 17 years): 12 to 16 breaths per minute.
Recognizing Irregular Breathing and When to Seek Help
A deviation from the established normal ranges can be characterized by two primary terms: tachypnea and bradypnea. Tachypnea refers to an abnormally fast breathing rate, usually defined as over 20 breaths per minute in an adult, which is often shallow. Bradypnea describes an abnormally slow rate, typically below 12 breaths per minute for an adult. Both conditions signal that the body may be struggling to maintain proper gas exchange.
A fast rate can be a response to various factors, including intense physical exertion, anxiety, fever, or underlying conditions like pneumonia or asthma, as the body attempts to take in more oxygen or expel excess carbon dioxide. A slow rate can be caused by certain medications, head injury, or metabolic issues. However, the number alone does not tell the whole story; it must be considered alongside other visual signs of distress.
Immediate medical attention is necessary if the change in rate is accompanied by signs of severe respiratory distress. These signs include a bluish discoloration around the lips, inside the mouth, or on the fingernails, known as cyanosis, which indicates a lack of oxygen. Other concerning signs include the use of accessory muscles, where the skin sinks in between the ribs or below the neck with each breath, or if the person is unable to speak in full sentences. Extreme deviations, such as an adult’s respiratory rate falling below 8 or rising above 30 breaths per minute, should prompt an emergency call.