Certified Clinical Medical Assistant CCMA Practice Test

When measuring a pts respiratory rate, which of the following actions should an MA take to ensure an accurate reading?

1. Engage the pt in a deep conversation during measurement.

2. Count the respirations while the pt exhales.

3. Count the respirations while the pt thinks his pulse is being obtained.

4. Measure the respiratory rate immediately after a meal.

The correct answer is: Count the respirations while the pt thinks his pulse is being obtained.

To ensure an accurate reading of the patient's respiratory rate, the most effective strategy is to count the respirations while the patient is unaware that you are measuring their breathing. This method helps prevent the patient from consciously altering their breathing pattern, which can happen when they are aware they are being observed or measured. Counting the respirations discreetly, such as while measuring the pulse, allows for a more natural and typical respiratory rate to be recorded, resulting in a more accurate assessment of the patient's breathing status. This approach acknowledges the psychological aspect of measurement, where awareness can lead to changes in behavior. Other approaches, such as engaging the patient in conversation or attempting to measure right after a meal, could lead to variations in respiratory rate due to emotional engagement or physical activity involved in eating. Counting during exhalation is not ideal either, as it might miss part of the breath cycle and lead to an inaccurate count.