Discuss, with reference to literature, the above quote and the importance of accurate respiratory rate measurement in the Registered Nurse’s assessment of a patient/client.

Read this before writing:
“Of the four vital signs, respiratory rate, in particular, is often not recorded, even when the patient’s primary problem is a respiratory condition. This is in spite of the fact that an abnormal respiratory rate has been shown to be an important predictor of serious events such as cardiac arrest and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU)” (Cretikos, et.al., 2008, p. 657).
There is a strong relationship between respiratory dysfunction, in particular tachypnoea, and in-hospital adverse events. Yet, evidence shows that nurses infrequently assess respiratory rate and when it is assessed, it is often inaccurate.
Discuss, with reference to literature, the above quote and the importance of accurate respiratory rate measurement in the Registered Nurse’s assessment of a patient/client. (500 words).

Structuring the short essay
Introduction
Statement of topic:     assessment of respiratory rate important as respiratory rate is predictor of adverse patient outcome
Aim of discussion:     1 outline possible adverse outcomes of failure to assess respiratory rate.                                  2  importance of assessment including accurate and regular respiratory measurement in order to identify respiratory dysfunction, and to avoid adverse outcomes .

Body             para 1
para 2
para 3     implications of lack of assessment of respiratory rate
implications of regular and accurate assessment of respiratory rate

Conclusion        sum up/re-state  – importance of measuring respiratory rate
References                        the last 8  years. More than 4 references.
Appendices??