Respiratory Rate and Pattern

Question 1

Rib fracture; Internal injury; Shock

Answer 1

Rapid, Shallow Breaths

Question 2

Pulmonary obstruction; Asthma

Answer 2

Deep, Quick Breaths

Question 3

Airway obstruction

Answer 3

Noisy, Raspy Breaths

Question 4

Type: Apneustic
Characteristics: Prolonged inspirations unrelieved by attempts to exhale.

Answer 4

Implications: Trauma to the pons

Question 5

Type: Biot’s
Characteristics: Periods of apnea followed by hyperapnea.

Answer 5

Implications: Increased intracranial pressure

Question 6

Type: Cheyne-Stokes
Characteristics: Periods of apnea followed by breaths of increasing depth and frequency.

Answer 6

Implications: Frontal lobe or brain stem trauma

Question 7

Type: Slow
Characteristics: Respiration consisting of fewer than 12 breaths per minute.

Answer 7

Implications: CNS disruption

Question 8

Type: Thoracic
Characteristics: Respiration in which the diaphragm is inactive and breathing occurs only through expansion of the chest; normal abdominal movement is absent.

Answer 8

Implications: Disruption of the phrenic nerve or its nerve roots