Neonates - Respiratory Rate

SOUTHERN HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE TRUST
Children & Young Peoples Directorate

Procedure/Guidelines/Protocol Checklist & Version Control Sheet
1 Name of Procedure/Guidelines/ Procedure for measuring respiratory

Protocol: rate in a neonate.
2 Purpose of Procedure/ To provide guidance on measurement of
Guidelines/ Protocol: respiratory rate for a neonate
3 Replaces: New
4 Applicable to which staff: Neonatal and SCBU nursing staff
5 Name & title of author: Una Toland Lead Nurse Neonatal
Services and ANNP team SH&SCT
6 Equality Screened by: N/A
Note any issues:
7 Proposals for dissemination: Una Toland via team managers to
nursing staff
8 Proposals for implementation: With immediate effect
9 Training Implications: To be included in induction training of all

new nursing staff
10 Date Procedure/Guideline/ 31-03-13
Protocol submitted to
Procedures Committee:
11 Outcome: Approved Comment:
Approved/Minor
amendments
Not approved
Deferred
12 Date of CYP SMT approval
Comments:
13 Date of approval by Trust SMT
(if required):
14 Date approved by HSCB (Social
Work only):
15 Date for further review (3 year
default):
16 Date added to repository:
17 Date added to Intranet:
State where to be placed on
Intranet:
SOUTHERN HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE TRUST
PROCEDURE FOR MEASURMENT OF RESPIRATORY RATE
Statement: The infant requires measurement of respiratory rate. (Note: one respiration
consists of one breath in and out and the pause in between).
The normal respiratory rate for an infant is approximately 30-60 breaths per minute
(NICE 2006). Often at rest we can see an infant with a respiratory rate of 20 and higher
when crying.
Equipment:
Watch with a second hand
ACTION RATIONALE
Decontaminate hands as per local policy To reduce transmission of infection
adhering to 7 step technique and 5 moments.
Avoid taking a reading if the infant is crying. To obtain an accurate reading

Alleviate discomfort if the infant is restless.
Count the number of breaths using a watch with a To obtain an accurate respiratory
second hand for one whole minute. You can do count
this via observation or touch. You should remove
access clothing to allow for observation of chest
movement
By observing we are looking for a baby whose To establish if there any breathing
colour is normal for their ethnicity, alert with good difficulties for the infant so that prompt
muscle tone and normal symmetrical chest and appropriate action can be taken
movements with no signs of respiratory distress.
Note if any noises are transmitted by the infant
during respiration.
If respirations are difficult to observe visually,
place your warm hand lightly across the babys
chest and count each rising movement.
Recession: a term used to describe in-drawing of
the chest wall below (subcostal) and between
(intercostal) the ribs.
Grunting: this is a moaning noise heard at the
end of each expiration. It represents air being
exhaled against a partially closed epiglottis in an
effort to increase the pressure in the terminal
airways so that they can be kept open.
Nasal Flaring: Babies are obligatory nose
breathers and mild flaring of the nostrils may be
them clearing foetal lung fluid. However, if seen
other than initially after birth, it may be a sign of
respiratory distress.
Tachypnoea: respiratory rate above 60 breaths
per minute.
Leave the infant comfortable and decontaminate To reduce transmission of infection
your hands after the procedure
Record the readings on the infants chart and

inform the nurse in charge if findings deviate from
the normal range for this infant
March 2013
References:
Aylott, M. (2006) Observing the sick child. Part 2: Respiratory Assessment. Paediatric
Nursing. Nov. 18 p 38-45
Examination of the New-born. A Practical Guide. Helen Baston and Heather Durward
RCN (2007) Standards for Assessing, Measuring and Monitoring Vital signs in Infants,
Children and Young People. Royal College of Nursing. London.
The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Procedures. 7th Edition. Wiley- Blackwell.

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SOUTHERN HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE TRUST

Children & Young Peoples Directorate

1 Name of Procedure/Guidelines/ Procedure for measuring respiratory

9 Training Implications: To be included in induction training of all

PROCEDURE FOR MEASURMENT OF RESPIRATORY RATE

Avoid taking a reading if the infant is crying. To obtain an accurate reading

Record the readings on the infants chart and

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