A trauma patient is automatically taken to a trauma center if their respiratory rate is under ___ and over ____.

The correct answer, which indicates a respiratory rate under 10 breaths per minute and over 29 breaths per minute, reflects established criteria used in trauma protocol for determining the severity of a patient's condition. A respiratory rate of less than 10 indicates significant respiratory distress or failure, which can lead to inadequate oxygenation and potential life-threatening complications. On the other side, a respiratory rate exceeding 29 can also suggest severe respiratory distress or abnormalities, including hyperventilation due to pain or anxiety, and may require advanced medical intervention.

In trauma scenarios, patients exhibiting these critical respiratory rates signify a more severe degree of injury, prompting the need for immediate and specialized care that trauma centers can provide. These thresholds help emergency medical personnel identify critical patients who need advanced life support and potential surgical intervention, which is why they are automatic indicators for transport to a trauma center.