What is the normal range of respirations for a 4-year-old child?

The normal range of respirations for a 4-year-old child falls between 20 and 30 breaths per minute. This range is based on pediatric respiratory physiology, which indicates that younger children tend to have higher respiratory rates compared to adults and even older children.

At around this age, children are physically active and have higher metabolic rates, requiring a greater oxygen intake, which explains the increased respiratory rate. Understanding these normal ranges is critical in assessing a child's health status, as deviations from this range can indicate respiratory distress or other medical conditions that may require intervention.

In the context of the other options, ranges that are lower or significantly higher than 20-30 breaths per minute would not accurately reflect typical patterns for children at this developmental stage. A range lower than 20 could suggest bradypnea, while a range higher than 30 could indicate tachypnea or respiratory distress, making it essential for first responders to be well-informed about these norms for effective assessment and care.