What is the primary reason for a CNA to keep track of a patient’s respiration rate?

Keeping track of a patient’s respiration rate is essential for identifying potential respiratory issues. Monitoring this vital sign helps a CNA detect changes in the patient's breathing patterns, which could indicate problems such as respiratory distress, lung infections, or exacerbations of chronic conditions like asthma or COPD. Early detection of such issues is crucial as it allows healthcare professionals to respond promptly, potentially preventing more serious complications.

Other options, while important elements of patient care, do not focus specifically on the primary reason for monitoring respiration. Ensuring comfort is related to providing a supportive environment, which is significant but not directly linked to the specific assessment of respiratory health. Administering medication accurately pertains to ensuring that dosages are correct and timely, but does not directly involve the assessment of respiratory function. Lastly, scheduling physical therapy sessions is part of the overall care plan and does not specifically relate to the ongoing assessment of a patient's respiratory status. Thus, the focus on detecting respiratory issues clearly stands out as the primary and most relevant reason for tracking respiration rates.