breathing patterns

• rate - tachypnea, bradypnea, and apnea
• tachypnea - quick, shallow breaths
• bradypnea - abnormally slow breathing
• apnea - cessation of breathing
• Volume - hyperventilation and hypoventilation
• hyperventilation - overexpansion of the lungs, rapid and deep breaths
• hypoventilation - under expansion of the lungs, shallow and infrequent breaths
• Rhythm - biot and cheyne-strokes breathing
• biot breathing - several shorts breaths followed by long irregular periods of apnea
• cheyne-stokes breathing - rhythmic waxing and waning of respirations, from very deep to very shallow breathing and temporary apnea
• ease or effort - dyspnea and orthopnea
• dyspnea - difficult and labored breathing during which the individual has a persistent, unsatisfied need for air and feels distressed
• orthopnea - ability to breathe only in upright sitting or standing position
• stridor – a shrill, harsh sound heard during inspiration with laryngeal obstruction.
• stertor – snoring or sonorous respiration, usually due to a partial obstruction of the upper airway.
• wheeze – continuous, high-pitched musical squeak or whistling sound occurring on expiration and sometimes on inspiration when air moves through a narrowed or partially obstructed airway.
• crackles/ rales – gurgling sounds heard as air passes through moist secretions in the respiratory tract.