NCLEX-PN

Normal respiratory rates across the lifespan are as follows:

●​ Neonate: 30 to 60 breaths per minute ●​ Infant: 30 to 60 breaths per minute ●​ Toddler: 20 to 40 breaths per minute ●​ Preschool Child: 22 to 30 breaths per minute

●​ School Age Child: 20 to 26 breaths per minute ●​ Adolescent: Same as adults, 16 to 22 breaths per minute ●​ Adult: 16 to 22 breaths per minute

Pulse Assessment Pulse is assessed through palpation and auscultation. Peripheral pulses are typically assessed through palpation, including the radial, femoral, brachial, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, and posterior tibial pulses. During palpation, the index or middle finger counts the beats and assesses pulse characteristics like regularity, fullness, or volume. In some cases, a Doppler Device is used to assess challenging peripheral pulses. The apical pulse is assessed by auscultation, with the point of maximum intensity for adults at the left side of the chest, fifth intercostal space. This point varies somewhat across the lifespan, particularly during adolescence and later years due to heart changes.

Normal pulse rates across the lifespan are:

●​ Neonate: 80 to 180 beats per minute ●​ Infant: 100 to 160 beats per minute ●​ Toddler: 90 to 140 beats per minute ●​ Preschool Child: 80 to 110 beats per minute

●​ School Age Child: 70 to 100 beats per minute ●​ Adolescent: 60 to 100 beats per minute ●​ Adult: 60 to 100 beats per minute

Blood Pressure Assessment Blood pressure reflects the force of blood flow through the arteries, determined by factors like blood volume, peripheral vascular resistance, cardiac output, and blood viscosity. Systolic blood pressure corresponds to the heart's contraction, while diastolic blood pressure reflects pressure during the heart's resting phase. Blood pressure is most commonly measured over the brachial artery, just above the antecubital space.

Normal blood pressure values across the lifespan are:

●​ Neonate: Diastolic 40 to 50 mm Hg, Systolic 60 to 80 mm Hg

●​ Infant: Diastolic 50 to 70 mm Hg, Systolic 74 to 100 mm Hg

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