Breath Rate

Breath Rate

One of two factors determining minute ventilation (the other being tidal volume).

Normal range is 12-20 breaths per minute. Some patients will need more, some will need less. It is also appropriate to set to the patient’s baseline respiratory rate. Patients with obstructive respiratory diseases like asthma or COPD may benefit from a lower than normal rate.

The respiratory rate is also one of the key adjustments for corrections to PaCO2. Adjusting the rate (or tidal volume) affects minute ventilation which determines how we are able to remove CO2 from the lungs.

An elevated PaCO2 can be corrected with an increase in rate or tidal volume. A decreased PaCO2 can be corrected with a decreased in rate or tidal volume.