What is the normal respiration rate range for adults?

• A. 10-14
• B. 8-16
• C. 12-20
• D. 14-22

Answer: (C)

Normal resting respiration rate for adults is 12 to 20 breaths per minute. This range reflects regular, comfortable breathing at rest and is used as the standard because it indicates adequate ventilation without extra effort. When you assess, count the breaths for a full minute (or 30 seconds and multiply by two) while the person is calm and not talking. Values within this range usually mean the body is getting enough oxygen and removing carbon dioxide effectively. Rates below about 12 can occur with sleep, certain medications, or metabolic factors, while rates above about 20 may signal fever, anxiety, pain, infection, respiratory or cardiac issues, or metabolic acidosis. The other ranges are either too narrow or allow upper values that are outside the normal resting range, so they don’t align with the standard adult baseline.