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The normal adult respiratory rate typically ranges between 12 to 20 breaths per minute, which aligns closely with the correct answer. This range is based on widely accepted clinical guidelines and reflects the respiratory rate at rest for healthy adults.

Maintaining this rate is essential for effective gas exchange in the lungs, ensuring that oxygen intake and carbon dioxide elimination occur efficiently. A respiratory rate outside this range may indicate underlying health issues; for instance, a rate significantly lower than 12 might suggest respiratory depression, while a rate above 20 could indicate conditions like anxiety, fever, or respiratory distress.

This context helps clarify why 16-22 breaths per minute is considered normal in some sources, as it slightly overlaps with the broader range of 12-20, yet the precise consensus in many clinical settings firmly supports the latter as the standard.