Respiratory Status Assessment

Question 1

What are the 9 points of the RSA?

Answer 1

• General appearance
• Speech
• Sounds
• RR
• Rhythm
• Work of breathing
• HR
• Skin
• Conscious state

Question 2

RSA normal

Answer 2

• General appearance - calm, quiet
• Speech - clear and steady sentences
• Sounds - usually quiet, no wheeze, no crackles or scattered final basal crackles
• RR - 12-16
• Rhythm - regular even cycles
• Work of breathing - normal chest movement
• HR - 60-100
• Skin - normal
• Conscious state - alert

Question 3

RSA mild distress

Answer 3

• General appearance - calm or mildly anxious
• Speech - full sentences
• Sounds - able to cough, asthma: mild expiratory wheeze, LVF: may be some fine crackles at bases
• RR - 16-20
• Rhythm - Asthma: may have slightly prolonged expiratory phase
• Work of breathing - slight increase in normal chest movement
• HR - 60-100
• Skin - Normal
• Conscious state - Alert

Question 4

RSA moderate distress

Answer 4

• General appearance - distressed or anxious
• Speech - short phrases only
• Sounds - able to cough, asthma: expiratory wheeze, +/- inspiratory wheeze, LVF: crackles at bases to mid zone
• RR - >20
• Rhythm - asthma: prolonged expiratory phase
• Work of breathing - marked chest movement, +/- the use of accessory muscles
• HR - 100-120bpm
• Skin - pale and sweaty
• Conscious state - may be altered