What is the normal respiratory rate for school-age children?

• A. 12-20 breaths per minute
• B. 22-34 breaths per minute
• C. 18-30 breaths per minute
• D. 30-50 breaths per minute

Answer: (C)

For school-age children, the normal respiratory rate sits in the 18 to 30 breaths per minute range. As kids grow from infancy to childhood, their breathing rate slows, and school-age children typically breathe more slowly than toddlers but faster than teenagers. This range is what clinicians consider normal in healthy, resting states, though rates can rise with fever, activity, or anxiety and should be counted for a full minute to get an accurate picture.

Choosing the 18–30 range fits the established pediatric norms. Rates significantly lower, such as around 12–20, are more typical of adults or older teens at rest, while rates higher than 30 can indicate tachypnea or respiratory distress. The upper option of 30–50 is not a normal resting rate for this age group and would usually prompt clinical evaluation.