Changes in Respiratory Rate Before and After Oxygen Administration Among Patients With Bronchial Asthma in the Emergency Department of Assyifa Islamic Hospital, Sukabumi, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by variable airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms. During acute exacerbations, increased respiratory rate may reflect respiratory distress. Supplemental oxygen may be administered as part of emergency management when clinically indicated; however, changes in respiratory rate cannot necessarily be attributed to oxygen administration alone.

Objective: To describe changes in respiratory rate before and after emergency management involving supplemental oxygen among patients with bronchial asthma.

Methods: This quantitative study employed a single-group, uncontrolled before–after design. The study was conducted in the Emergency Department of Assyifa Islamic Hospital, Sukabumi, Indonesia, in May 2026. Twenty-three participants were selected through purposive sampling from a reported population of 30 patients. Respiratory rate was assessed before and after the management episode and categorized into predefined intervals. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and respiratory rate distributions.

Results: Before management, 18 participants (78.3%) had respiratory rates of 21–25 breaths/min, while five (21.7%) had rates of 26–30 breaths/min. Following management, 22 participants (95.7%) had respiratory rates of 15–20 breaths/min, and one (4.3%) had a rate of 21–25 breaths/min.

Conclusion: Respiratory rate categories shifted toward lower values following emergency management involving supplemental oxygen. However, the absence of a control group and incomplete documentation of concurrent interventions prevent the observed changes from being attributed independently to oxygen administration.

Keywords: bronchial asthma; respiratory rate; supplemental oxygen; emergency department; before–after study.