Accurate respiratory rates count: So should you!

© 2016 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia It is well documented that the respiratory rate is the least accurately recorded vital sign. Despite nurses consistently confirming that they understand the physiological importance of the respiratory rate, more often than not, they estimate a value rather than count for an entire minute. Until recently, little has been known about why this phenomenon perpetuates. However, it has now been established that many emergency department registered nurses believe they are enhancing patients’ outcomes by performing tasks other than counting a patient's respiratory rate. This discussion highlights the significance of recording accurate respiratory rates, as opposed to estimating a rate; emphasizing that just four breaths either side of the normal range could be indicative of impending clinical deterioration.