Question

Your patient is having difficulty breathing and has a respiration rate of 5 breaths per minute. Which of the following describes your patient?

A.) orthopnea
B.) apnea
C.) tachypnea
D.) bradypnea

Answer 1

A patient with a respiration rate of 5 breaths per minute is experiencing bradypnea, indicating slow breathing that could lead to inadequate pulmonary ventilation and hypoxemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient having difficulty breathing with a respiration rate of 5 breaths per minute is suffering from bradypnea, which is a slower than normal respiratory rate. The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is generally 12 to 15 breaths per minute. When the respiration rate drops below this range, it indicates a potential decrease in the respiratory system's ability to effectively exchange gases.

This situation may lead to hypoxemia, characterized by a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood. Barbara's case, possibly involving pneumonia, emphasizes the importance of monitoring and, if necessary, intervening to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

When the respiration rate is below this average and is not adequate to maintain effective pulmonary ventilation, it suggests that there is a decrease in the respiratory system's ability to properly exchange gases, which might lead to a condition known as hypoxemia, a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood as mentioned in Barbara's case, who may have pneumonia. It is critical to monitor and, if necessary, intervene to ensure that adequate oxygenation and ventilation are maintained.