Which respiratory pattern is defined as alternating between deep, fast breathing and pauses in breathing?

• A. Bradypnea
• B. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
• C. Hyperventilation
• D. Tachypnea

Answer: (B)

Cheyne-Stokes respirations are a cyclical breathing pattern with waxing and waning depth and rate, interspersed by periods of apnea. In this pattern you first get deep, rapid breaths (hyperpnea) that gradually lessen to a pause, then the cycle repeats. This arises from a delayed feedback in the brain’s control of breathing, so the respiratory drive overcorrects and then undershoots. It’s often seen with conditions that affect central respiratory control, such as congestive heart failure, stroke, brain injury, or advanced neurologic disease. It differs from simple tachypnea (rapid breathing without apnea), bradypnea (slower than normal breathing), or hyperventilation (rapid breathing without alternating pauses).