Learning outcome 1: Discuss when and why observation of respiration is performed and state the range of normal respiratory rates for adults

Natalie’s respiratory rate may decrease owing to the drugs she has taken. A serious

side-effect of opioid drugs, such as morphine, is a depressed respiratory rate.

In healthy people, the relationship between pulse and respiration is fairly constant,

being a ratio of one respiration to every four or five heart beats. Very rapid respirations,

such as over 40 per minute in an adult (in the absence of exercise), or very slow

respirations, such as 8 per minute, are cause for alarm and should be reported promptly.