When should ventilations be assessed on adult patients?

Ventilations in adult patients should be specifically assessed when the breathing rate is less than 8 breaths per minute (bpm) or exceeds 24 bpm. This range indicates possible respiratory distress or failure, where the patient's ability to ventilate adequately is compromised.

When breathing is too slow (hypoventilation), the body may not receive enough oxygen, leading to hypoxia. Conversely, breathing that exceeds 24 bpm (tachypnea) may involve ineffective ventilation or could be a compensatory response to a condition like anxiety, pain, or metabolic situation. Assessing ventilations in these scenarios is crucial for initiating appropriate interventions, such as providing supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation if needed.

While there are situations where ventilations are evaluated, such as when a patient is unconscious or showing signs of panic, these specific rates provide clearer clinical thresholds where intervention is essential to ensure the patient receives adequate respiratory support.