The IDHS should contact the flight surgeon when a patient has an unexplained respiratory rate more than how many breaths per minute?

• A. 26 breaths per minute
• B. 28 breaths per minute
• C. 30 breaths per minute
• D. 32 breaths per minute

Answer: (B)

Unexplained tachypnea is a clear signal that something may be wrong and needs medical input, especially in an aviation setting where rapid changes in environment can worsen underlying problems. If a patient’s breathing rate rises above twenty-eight breaths per minute and the rise cannot be explained by just exertion, fever, pain, or anxiety, the IDHS should contact the flight surgeon for prompt assessment and guidance.

This threshold is chosen because it sits well above the normal resting range for adults, making it a practical alert that helps catch potentially serious issues early—issues such as hypoxemia, respiratory infection, airway or pulmonary problems, or metabolic disturbances that could be exacerbated in flight. Escalating at this point aims to protect the crew and ensure appropriate evaluation rather than waiting until the rate climbs higher, which could risk deterioration in the air environment.