respiration rate

respiration rate [L, respirare, to breathe, ratum, rate] , the rate of breathing. It is typically from 40 to 50 breaths per minute for newborns, 20 to 25 breaths per minute for older children, and 12 to 20 breaths per minute for teenagers and adults. An adult rate of 25 breaths per minute may be regarded as accelerated, whereas a rate of less than 12 breaths per minute is abnormally low. The rate may be more rapid in fever, acute pulmonary infection, diffuse pulmonary fibrosis, gas gangrene, left ventricular failure, thyrotoxicosis, and states of tension. Slower breathing rates may result from head injury, coma, or narcotic overdose. Also called breathing frequency, respiratory rate. See also bradypnea, hyperpnea, hypopnea.

Assessment of respiration rate (Elkin, Perry, and Potter, 2007)