ABSTRACT
Deterioration in a patient’s respiratory function is one of the major causes of critical illness and accounts for one of the main reasons for admission to the critical care unit. The primary purpose of respiratory assessment is to determine the adequacy of oxygen transportation. After undertaking a full and systematic assessment, a nurse is in a unique position to act upon findings from the data collected and ensure that appropriated medical/nursing intervention occurs (Cox and McGrath, 1999). This chapter identifies issues regarding respiratory assessment, and the implications in relation to respiratory failure and treatment.
