Which term describes an increased respiratory rate?

Which term describes an increased respiratory rate?

• A. Tachypnea
• B. Bradypnea
• C. Apnea
• D. Dyspnea

Answer: (A)

An increased respiratory rate is called tachypnea. It specifically describes faster-than-normal breathing, focusing on the rate at which breaths are taken. In adults, normal is about 12–20 breaths per minute; tachypnea means the rate is higher than that, regardless of how deep each breath is. This differs from other terms: bradypnea means a slower than normal rate, apnea is a pause or stoppage in breathing, and dyspnea is a subjective feeling of breathlessness or difficulty breathing. Tachypnea is often a sign of fever, infection, hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis, anxiety, or pain, reflecting a response to physiological stress.

An increased respiratory rate is called tachypnea. It specifically describes faster-than-normal breathing, focusing on the rate at which breaths are taken. In adults, normal is about 12–20 breaths per minute; tachypnea means the rate is higher than that, regardless of how deep each breath is. This differs from other terms: bradypnea means a slower than normal rate, apnea is a pause or stoppage in breathing, and dyspnea is a subjective feeling of breathlessness or difficulty breathing. Tachypnea is often a sign of fever, infection, hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis, anxiety, or pain, reflecting a response to physiological stress.