Common Breathing Patterns

Question 1

Apnea

Answer 1

Absence of spontaneous breathing

Question 2

Biot’s

Answer 2

Irregular breathing, various depth/rates + periods of apnea

Associated with ↑ intracranial pressure/ damage to medulla

Question 3

Bradypnea

Answer 3

Slower than normal RR < 12 breaths/min

Question 4

Cheyne-Stokes

Answer 4

Decreasing rate and depth with periods of apnea,

CNS damage

Question 5

Eupnea

Answer 5

Normal rate/depth of breathing

Question 6

Hyperpnea

Answer 6

Increased rate/depth of breathing

Question 7

Hypopnea

Answer 7

Decreased rate/depth of breathing

Question 8

Kussmal’s

Answer 8

Deep and fast breathing

Metabolic acidosis

Question 9

Paradoxical

Answer 9

Chest wall moves in with inspiration/ out with expiration

Chest trauma/ diaphragm paralysis

Question 10

Tachypnea

Answer 10

Faster than normal RR, > 20 breaths/min