❌ Myth: "RR is 24 but the patient looks anxious — it's probably just anxiety"

✅ Reality: Tachypnea in infection reflects compensation for metabolic acidosis from tissue hypoperfusion

RR is often the FIRST qSOFA criterion to become abnormal — hours before BP drops.

Count the full rate for 60 seconds. Don't estimate. Don't dismiss.

An elevated RR in a patient with suspected infection is never "just anxiety."