Respiratory assessment in adults

Abstract

Respiratory disorders are among the most common reasons for admission to critical care units in the U.K. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that nursing assessment of patients' respiratory function is not performed well because it is not considered a priority and the implications of respiratory dysfunction are underestimated. It is essential that nurses are able to recognise and assess symptoms. of respiratory dysfunction to provide early, effective and appropriate interventions, thus improving patient outcomes. This article highlights the role of the nurse in respiratory assessment and discusses the implications of clinical findings.

Factors influencing nurses’ decisions to activate medical emergency teams

“…However, an interesting finding was that oxygen saturation and respiratory rate which should be evaluated at the assessment of breathing were not evaluated by a large percentage of nurses. Anecdotal evidence suggests that nursing assessment of patients’ respiratory function is not performed well because it is not considered a priority and the implications of respiratory function are underestimated (Moore 2007). Of course it is essential that nurses be able to recognise and assess symptoms of respiratory dysfunction to provide early activation of MET.…”

Acute effects of the 4-4-8 breathing technique on arterial stiffness in healthy young men

“…The typical number of breaths per minute is 12–20 [ 27 ], but the 4-4-8 breathing technique is similar to slow, deep breathing as it takes 16 s per breath, which is approximately 4 less breaths per minute. According to Vierra et al [ 28 ], slow breathing helps improve HRV.…”

Status Review of Assessment and Clinical Decision Making of Surgical Nurses for Vital Signs

“…Bu çalışmada, hemşirelerin ifadeleri literatürde yer alan ameliyat sonrası solunum izlem sıklığına benzerlik göstermektedir. [44][45][46][47] Literatürde yer alan, ameliyat sonrası erken dönemde solunum sistemindeki komplikasyonları azaltmaya yönelik; erken mobilizasyon, hidrasyon, pozisyon değişikliği, solunum egzersizlerinin yapılması etkili bakımın bir parçasıdır. Bu araştırmada, hemşirelerin objektif verileri bütüncül olarak değerlendirmemesi; yapacakları girişim basamaklarında hatalara neden olmaktadır.…”