Question

The nurse is assessing the respiratory pattern of a patient. Which statements are true about various patterns of respiration?

1) Tachypnea is a rapid, shallow breathing pattern.
2) Bradypnea is an abnormally slow breathing pattern.
3) Hyperpnea is an increased depth and rate of breathing.
4) Apnea is a complete absence of breathing.
5) Hyperventilation is a decreased depth and rate of breathing.

Answer 1

Tachypnea is rapid, shallow breathing; bradypnea is slow breathing; hyperpnea is increased depth and rate of breathing matching oxygen needs; apnea is no breathing; and hyperventilation is increased breathing leading to low CO2 and high pH levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is assessing the respiratory pattern of a patient, several terms are used to describe various patterns of respiration:

• Tachypnea is correctly identified as a rapid, shallow breathing pattern.
• Bradypnea is an abnormally slow breathing pattern.
• Hyperpnea refers to an increased depth and rate of breathing, often in response to an increased demand for oxygen, as might be seen in exercise or certain diseases.
• Apnea is the complete absence of breathing.
• Hyperventilation is actually an increased depth and rate of breathing that can lead to abnormally low blood carbon dioxide levels and high blood pH, not a decreased depth and rate of breathing as was incorrectly stated.

It is important to note that hyperpnea differs from hyperventilation, as hyperpnea matches the oxygen needs of cells, while hyperventilation exceeds these needs, affecting blood gas levels.