BREATHING PATTERNS Flashcards
irregular gasps that are widely spaced; usually represent stray neurologic impulses in a dying patient; not usual in patients absent pulse; not actually considered a form of breathing
agonal
characterized by prolonged inspiratory hold (fish breathing); follows damage to the pneumotaxic center in the brain; a sign of severe brain injury
apneustic
chaotically irregular respirations that indicate severe brain injury or brainstem herniation
ataxic
irregular pattern, rate, and depth of respirations, characterized by intermittent patterns of apnea; indicates severe brain injury or brainstem herniation
biot respirations
unusually slow respirations
bradypnea
tachypneic hyperpnea; rapid and deep respirations caused by increased intracranial pressure or direct brain injury; drives carbon dioxide levels down and pH up, resulting in respiratory alkolosis
central neurogenic hyperventilation
forced exhalation against a closed glottis; an airway clearing maneuver; seen when foreign substances irritate the airways; controlled by the cough center in the brain (antitussive medications generally work best)
cough
normal breathing
eupnea
spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm, causing short exhalations with a characteristic sound; sometimes seen in cases of diaphragmatic (phrenic) nerve irritation form acute myocardial infarction, ulcer disease, or ET intubation
hiccup
abnormally increased rate and depth of breathing; seen in various neurologic and chemical disorders, including DO with certain drugs
hyperpnea
abnormally decreased rate and depth of breathing
hypopnea
the same pattern as in central neurogenic hyperventilation but caused by the body’s response to metabolic acidosis, attempting to rid itself of blood acetone via the lungs; seen in DKA; accompanied by a fruity breath odor and usually dry mouth and lips
kussmaul respirations
periodically taking a deep breath of about twice the normal volume; forces open alveoli that routinely close form time to time
sighing
unusually rapid breathing
tachypnea
seems beneficial in the same manner as sighing
yawning
