What is a normal adult respiratory rate?

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Multiple Choice

What is a normal adult respiratory rate?

Explanation:
Normal resting adult respiratory rate is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. This range reflects the typical ventilation rate when a person is at rest and not influenced by exercise, fever, or acute illness. Breathing rates above 20 suggest tachypnea, which can occur with fever, pain, anxiety, respiratory or metabolic problems. Rates below 12 indicate bradypnea, which may occur with sleep, certain drugs, or central nervous system issues. Ranges like 28–32 or 22–28 are higher than normal, while 8–12 is on the low side; neither matches a normal resting rate.

Normal resting adult respiratory rate is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. This range reflects the typical ventilation rate when a person is at rest and not influenced by exercise, fever, or acute illness. Breathing rates above 20 suggest tachypnea, which can occur with fever, pain, anxiety, respiratory or metabolic problems. Rates below 12 indicate bradypnea, which may occur with sleep, certain drugs, or central nervous system issues. Ranges like 28–32 or 22–28 are higher than normal, while 8–12 is on the low side; neither matches a normal resting rate.

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