Student name Student No.

Student name
Student No.
Unit
Title: Ineffective Breathing Patterns

When considering the breathing pattern of a patient, nurses focus on the timing, rhythm,
depth and the rate of breathing. Ineffective breathing patterns could mean that the body cells and
tissues are not getting sufficient oxygen and could be correlated to thoracic and abdominal
complications (Wayne, 2016). Ineffective breathing patterns could transpire conditions such as
airway obstruction, surgery leading to musculoskeletal defects, diaphragmatic paralysis, hypoxia
and other conditions. Nursing assessment is crucial so as to determine the cause of ineffective
breathing pattern and also any concerns that could arise during the care.
Assessment Rationales
The nurse could assess the rate and depth of
respiration for around 4 hours.
The rate of respiration for an adult is between
10 and 20 breaths in a minute. An action
should be taken in case of an alteration in the
patient’s breathing pattern.
The nurse should assess the ABG levels as
per the facility policy
This monitors the ventilation and oxygenation
status
Assess the blood gas values of the patient
(that is pH, PaCO2, PaO2, and HCO3)
pH help determine the alkaline or acidic state
of the patient’s blood, noting PaO2 helps
determine presence of hypoxia and noting
PaCO2 and HCO3 helps know their status
(high, low or normal) (de Wit, Stromberg and
Dallred, 2017).
The patient is placed in a BiPAP and their oxygen saturation assessed for like 30
minutes. The patient’s respiratory rate is assessed after every 30 minutes for 8 hours. When the
patient’s respiratory rate is 12 to 20 breaths in a minute, they could be assessed for 4 hours.
Therapeutic interventions for this patient could include
Intervention Rationales
place the patient in a way that their breathing
pattern is maximum
Sitting position allows maximum chest
expansion and lung excursions
The nurse could demonstrate slow inhalation,
passive exhalation, use spirometer and also
require the patient to yawn.
These enhances deep inspiration, hence
increasing oxygenation and preventing
atelectasis.
The patient should be given rest periods and . Ensuring the patient rests (between