Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

To accurately measure a client's respirations, what is the recommended practice?

1. Using a stethoscope on the chest

2. Counting them while leaving fingers on the radial pulse

3. Using a watch to time breaths

4. Counting while asking the client questions

The correct answer is: Counting them while leaving fingers on the radial pulse

The recommended practice for accurately measuring a client's respirations is to count them while leaving fingers on the radial pulse. This method ensures that the client's awareness of being observed does not alter their natural breathing pattern; by checking the pulse simultaneously, the practitioner can unobtrusively monitor respirations without the client being conscious of it. This technique allows for a more accurate assessment since clients may unintentionally alter their breathing rate when they know that their respirations are being counted. Therefore, maintaining a discreet observation promotes a more genuine response from the client. Using a stethoscope on the chest can be effective for other assessments, but it may not be as practical for simply counting breaths, particularly in a situation requiring discreet observation. Timing breaths with a watch alone, while necessary for accurate timing, does not allow for the same unobtrusive monitoring as feeling for the radial pulse. Counting while asking the client questions could distract them and influence their breathing pattern, leading to inaccurate results. Thus, the strategy of combining pulse observation with respiration monitoring optimally balances accuracy with client comfort.