One of the main traditional roles of nurses is the surveillance of patients, which may include watching patients for alterations in their condition, early recognition of clinical deterioration, and protection from harm and errors (Considine, 2005; Yuan, Drost & McIvor, 2013). Though there is consensus regarding the importance of respiratory assessment in the prompt detection and reporting of alterations, there is a demonstrated lack of willingness by nurses to incorporate respiratory assessment into their clinical practice, which can delay essential treatment. This is worrying given that an increasing demand for hospital beds, combined with a trend of an increasingly aging population and shorter hospital stays, has resulted in increased patient
…show more content…
As demonstrated by Duff, Gardiner and Barnes (2007), the assessment of respiratory rate serves various functions like being an early marker of acidosis. Respiratory assessment is also one of the most significant indicators of critical illness (Ansell, Meyer & Thompson, 2014; Philip, Richardson & Cohen, 2013). For instance, as noted by Ansell, Meyer and Thompson (2014), an increase in the patient’s normal respiratory rate of even three to five breaths per minute is an early and significant indication of respiratory distress and possible hypoxaemia. In essence, therefore, competent respiratory assessment is a foundational requirement of nursing practice, where properly educated nursing professionals have the capability to conduct regular, systematic examinations that facilitate awareness of changes in the condition of the …show more content…
In this regard, nurses play an important role in the prevention of adverse events related to respiratory dysfunction, which is documented as a predecessor of medical emergencies and cardiac arrest (Cretikos et al., 2008; Hogan, 2006). Effective respiratory assessment, therefore, ensures that clinical findings can be clearly connected to diagnostic decision making and patient care plans. However, it is important to warn rather than rushing into listening to the breadth sounds, the assessment ought to be done in an organized and logical approach. In addition, for the acutely ill patient, respiratory rate ought to be confirmed for a complete minute, instead of 30 seconds, and then doubled (Considine, 2005; Odell, Victor & Oliver, 2009). Respiratory rate should also be assessed and classified as eupnoea, tachypnoea, bradypnoea or hypopnea (Smith et al., 2011). Such labelling encourages the nurse to consider the factors underlying the respiratory rate.
Conclusion
The current analysis demonstrates that respiratory assessment is an important means of gathering information and as a factor in the timely mitigation of adverse events. As demonstrated, this can be particularly valuable in the initiation of timely clinical referral or intervention following the analysis of clinical data. In conclusion,
As demonstrated by Duff, Gardiner and Barnes (2007), the assessment of respiratory rate serves various functions like being an early marker of acidosis. Respiratory assessment is also one of the most significant indicators of critical illness (Ansell, Meyer & Thompson, 2014; Philip, Richardson & Cohen, 2013). For instance, as noted by Ansell, Meyer and Thompson (2014), an increase in the patient’s normal respiratory rate of even three to five breaths per minute is an early and significant indication of respiratory distress and possible hypoxaemia. In essence, therefore, competent respiratory assessment is a foundational requirement of nursing practice, where properly educated nursing professionals have the capability to conduct regular, systematic examinations that facilitate awareness of changes in the condition of the …show more content…
In this regard, nurses play an important role in the prevention of adverse events related to respiratory dysfunction, which is documented as a predecessor of medical emergencies and cardiac arrest (Cretikos et al., 2008; Hogan, 2006). Effective respiratory assessment, therefore, ensures that clinical findings can be clearly connected to diagnostic decision making and patient care plans. However, it is important to warn rather than rushing into listening to the breadth sounds, the assessment ought to be done in an organized and logical approach. In addition, for the acutely ill patient, respiratory rate ought to be confirmed for a complete minute, instead of 30 seconds, and then doubled (Considine, 2005; Odell, Victor & Oliver, 2009). Respiratory rate should also be assessed and classified as eupnoea, tachypnoea, bradypnoea or hypopnea (Smith et al., 2011). Such labelling encourages the nurse to consider the factors underlying the respiratory rate.
Conclusion
The current analysis demonstrates that respiratory assessment is an important means of gathering information and as a factor in the timely mitigation of adverse events. As demonstrated, this can be particularly valuable in the initiation of timely clinical referral or intervention following the analysis of clinical data. In conclusion,