Cómo hacer Cuenta y registra las respiraciones
You count respirations by watching the chest rise and fall for a full minute — quietly, so the resident never knows you are counting. The moment people notice their breathing is being watched, they change it, so discretion is the whole skill.
Paso a paso
- 1
Knock, wash your hands, introduce yourself, and identify the resident.
- 2
Provide for privacy and have a watch with a second hand ready.
- 3
Keep your fingers on the wrist as if you are still taking the pulse, so the resident does not realize you are watching their breathing.Crítico
- 4
Without telling the resident you are counting respirations, watch the chest rise and fall; one full breath in and out counts as one respiration.Crítico
- 5
Count respirations for one full 60 seconds.Crítico
- 6
Note the rate along with the rhythm and depth of breathing.
- 7
Make the resident comfortable and place the call signal within reach.
- 8
Wash your hands.
- 9
Record the respiratory rate and report anything abnormal to the nurse.Crítico
Pasos críticos (no los omitas)
- Do not tell the resident you are counting breaths — awareness makes them alter their natural breathing.
- Count the full 60 seconds; do not count a partial period and multiply.
- Keep your hand at the wrist as if on the pulse so the count stays discreet.
- Wash hands and record before leaving, and leave the signaling device within reach.
Errores comunes
- Announcing 'now I'm counting your breathing,' which changes the resident's rate.
- Removing your hand from the wrist, tipping the resident off that something new is being measured.
- Counting only 30 seconds and doubling instead of a full minute.
- Miscounting one respiration as two by counting the inhale and exhale separately.
Por qué importa
Breathing is partly voluntary, so as soon as a resident knows it is being watched they speed up, slow down, or hold it — which is why counting is done silently, often right after the pulse with your hand still on the wrist. A full 60 seconds captures the natural rate even when breathing is shallow or irregular.