FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL TECHNOLOGY BHCLT1 CLINICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME RESPIRATORY RATE MEASUREMENT PRIYANKA GOVENDER 21818265 INSTRUMENTATIONS & TECHNIQUES FOR CLINICAL TECHNOLOGY || SUBMITTED: 14 September 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Discuss the different types of devices for measuring respiratory rate including normal ranges of rate, indications, operation, advantages and disadvantages devices.
Respiration is a form of a metabolic process that all living organisms go through. During inhalation when a person breathes in, oxygen is taken in. When a person exhales, carbon dioxide is released into the surroundings. Respiration involves gaseous exchange therefore is said to be a chemical process while breathing is a physical one.
Organisms get their energy from the mix of glucose and oxygen to make carbon dioxide, water and ATP (energy in cells). Respiration rate refers to the number of breaths a person takes in one minute. The following essay will discuss how respiratory rate is measured including the ranges of rates, indications, operations and the advantages and disadvantages of the devices. The following diagram illustrates inhalation and exhalation: https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiOnLbowp_dAhVUecAKHU7eCRwQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Femhphysicaltherapy.com%2Fthe-top-5-exercises-to-reduce-pelvic-pain%2F816%2F&psig=AOvVaw1vtq4-VLuTRtty0Teo3PnI&ust=1536087562821641How is the breathing/respiration rate of a person measured? The unit for respiration rate is stated as breaths per minute (BPM). Respiration rate is taken when a person is at rest and counted by the number of chest rises by the person. When measuring respiration, it is also vital to check if the person has any trouble breathing.
What is the normal breathing rate? For healthy adults the range is 12-20 breaths per minute. Table showing average respiratory rate according to age AGE BREATHS PER MINUTE Birth to 6 weeks old 30-60 6 months 25-40 3 years 20-30 6 years 18-25 10 years 17-23 Adults 12-20 Elderly? 65 years 12-28 Elderly? 80 year 10-30 Respiratory rate is to assess how fast or slow a person’s lungs are working. The aim is to conclude if the respirations are abnormally slow, abnormally fast, normal or non-existent. What factors affect respiratory rates? Age- young children breathe faster Pain- this increases respiration rate Emotion- increases respiration rate Fever/illness- increases respiration rate Biovotion AG. (2018). What is Respiration Rate?.
online Available at: https://biovotion.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/213581905-What-is-Respiration-Rate- Accessed 3 Sep. 2018. Furst, J., Furst, J., Furst, J. and Furst, J.
(2018). What factors can affect pulse and respiratory rates?. online First aid for free. Available at: http://www.firstaidforfree.com/what-factors-can-affect-pulse-and-respiratory-rates/ Accessed 3 Sep. 2018. Sleep Renewal.
(2018). Sleep Renewal Clinics Sleep Studies South Africa. online Available at: https://www.sleeprenewal.co.za/heart-and-breathing-rate Accessed 3 Sep. 2018. Study.com.
(2018). What is Respiration? – Definition, Process ; Equation – Video ; Lesson Transcript Study.com. online Available at: https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-respiration-definition-process-equation.html Accessed 3 Sep. 2018. (Study.com, 2018)
