All skills
Vital Signs

Counts and Records Respirations

Keep your fingers on the resident's wrist AS IF you are still counting the pulse. Without telling the resident, watch the chest rise and fall. One rise-fall cycle = one respiration. Count for a full 60 seconds.

2-3 minutes•8 steps•2 critical
Keep your hand on the wrist. Watch the chest. Don't tell the resident.

Why this matters

Keep your hand on the wrist. Watch the chest. Don't tell the resident.

Quick tips

  • Don't tell the resident you're counting — they'll change their breathing
  • Keep your hand on the wrist to disguise the count
  • Watch the chest rise AND fall — count each full cycle as ONE respiration

Common mistakes

  • Telling the resident you're counting (they consciously change their pattern)
  • Counting each rise OR fall as one breath (one cycle = one breath)
  • Counting for only 30 seconds when respirations are irregular
  • Holding your own breath while counting (subconsciously speeds or slows your count)