Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

When assessing breathing in a child, how long should you assess the respiratory rate?

1. 30 seconds

2. 1 full minute

3. 15 seconds

4. 2 full minutes

The correct answer is: 1 full minute

Assessing the respiratory rate in a child requires measuring the number of breaths taken in a specific duration. It is recommended to assess the respiratory rate for a full minute to obtain the most accurate representation of the child's breathing pattern. A full minute allows for identifying any irregularities, such as tachypnea (increased respiratory rate) or bradypnea (decreased respiratory rate), which may vary with activity level or have periodic fluctuations due to factors like age or illness. Shorter intervals, such as 30 seconds or 15 seconds, might provide an incomplete assessment, as they could miss these variations or lead to inaccurate calculations if the child breathes irregularly during that brief period. A one-minute assessment captures these fluctuations and provides a more reliable understanding of the child's respiratory status, which is crucial in a pediatric emergency setting. Assessing for two full minutes, while thorough, can be impractical in an emergency context where prompt decision-making is often necessary. Therefore, one full minute strikes an ideal balance between accuracy and efficiency in the assessment process.