How should the respiratory rate be determined during PALS?

The correct approach for determining the respiratory rate during Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is to count the number of times the chest rises in 30 seconds and then multiply that number by 2. This method is practical, efficient, and allows for a quick assessment of the patient's respiratory status. By observing the chest rise, healthcare providers can accurately identify each breath, enabling them to reflect on the patient's ventilation and overall respiratory function.

Counting the breaths over a shorter duration, such as 30 seconds, is often more feasible in emergency situations where efficiency is crucial. This technique reduces the time needed to obtain a respiratory rate while still ensuring an adequate measure. The multiplication by 2 helps in standardizing the rate to per minute, aligning with usual clinical reporting for vital signs.

Other methods, such as counting for a full minute or using a stethoscope for 15 seconds, could lead to errors due to possible distraction or the complexity of listening accurately in high-stress environments. Monitoring heart rate for respiratory rate changes does not directly provide a clear measure of ventilation and can mislead assessment since heart rate changes can occur independently of respiratory function. Thus, the method of observing chest rise remains the most reliable and effective for assessing respiratory rate in PALS scenarios.