HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

What protocol is best for accurately measuring a patient's respiration?

1. Counting breaths while observing from a distance

2. Counting the patient's respirations while taking their pulse

3. Using a digital respiration monitor

4. Asking the patient to breathe normally and counting

The correct answer is: Counting the patient's respirations while taking their pulse

Counting the patient's respirations while taking their pulse is often considered a reliable method for accurately measuring respiration. By doing this, the dental assistant can observe the patient's breathing without drawing too much attention to it, which might cause the patient to alter their natural breathing pattern. This method allows for a more accurate reflection of the patient's normal respiratory rate during a state of rest, as the patient is distracted by the pulse assessment. In contrast, the other methods may have limitations. For instance, counting breaths while observing from a distance might not provide a clear view or accurate count, as it could be difficult to see the subtle rise and fall of the chest. Using a digital respiration monitor may offer precision, but reliance on technology can lead to delays or errors if the device malfunctions. Asking the patient to breathe normally and then counting can also lead to inaccuracies, as patients may consciously modify their breathing when aware of being observed.