Final answer:
Respiratory alternans or paradoxical breathing and asymmetrical chest movements are both abnormal breathing patterns. Respiratory alternans refers to the chest and abdomen moving in opposite directions during breathing, while asymmetrical chest movements involve uneven chest movement due to muscle weakness or injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
Respiratory alternans , also known as paradoxical breathing, refers to an abnormal breathing pattern where the chest and abdomen move in opposite directions during inhalation and exhalation. This can be seen in conditions like diaphragmatic paralysis or when there is an obstruction in the airways. Asymmetrical chest movements, on the other hand, refer to an uneven movement of the chest during breathing. This can occur due to muscle weakness or injury on one side of the chest, causing an imbalance in the expansion and contraction of the lungs.