Final answer:
An increased respiratory rate is termed tachypnea, which is an adjustment by the respiratory system to meet additional oxygen demands during activities like exercise or in certain conditions like high altitude. It is distinct from hyperpnea and hyperventilation, which also involve increased breathing rates but have different underlying causes and effects on blood gas levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
An increased respiratory rate is known as tachypnea. This occurs when the respiratory system needs to adjust to situational changes, such as during exercise or at high altitudes, in order to supply the body with enough oxygen. The term tachypnea specifically refers to the increase in the rate of breathing, without necessarily indicating whether the volume of air per breath is increased or decreased. However, during hyperventilation, which is different from tachypnea, there is an increased breathing rate that leads to abnormally low blood carbon dioxide levels. In contrast, hyperpnea is an increased depth and rate of ventilation to meet an increase in oxygen demand, but does not significantly alter blood oxygen or carbon dioxide levels.
Options such as bradypnea, apnea, and dyspnea are incorrect. Bradypnea is characterized by an abnormally slow breathing rate, apnea means a temporary cessation of breathing, and dyspnea indicates difficult or labored breathing.