The respiratory pattern Apneustic is described as?

The respiratory pattern Apneustic is described as?

• A. Prolonged inspiration, shortened expiration.
• B. Rapid, shallow breaths
• C. Prolonged expiration with brief inspiration
• D. Irregular breathing pattern

Answer: (A)

Apneustic breathing is characterized by a prolonged inspiratory phase, often with a pause at full inspiration, followed by a shorter, incomplete expiration. This pattern occurs when the pontine respiratory centers are disrupted, such as with brainstem injury or certain hypoxic states. You’d expect to see a deep, drawn-out inspiration with a brief pause before a relatively brief expiration, which matches the description of prolonged inspiration with shortened expiration. Rapid, shallow breaths describe tachypnea; prolonged expiration with brief inspiration suggests an obstructive pattern; irregular breathing is nonspecific.

Apneustic breathing is characterized by a prolonged inspiratory phase, often with a pause at full inspiration, followed by a shorter, incomplete expiration. This pattern occurs when the pontine respiratory centers are disrupted, such as with brainstem injury or certain hypoxic states. You’d expect to see a deep, drawn-out inspiration with a brief pause before a relatively brief expiration, which matches the description of prolonged inspiration with shortened expiration. Rapid, shallow breaths describe tachypnea; prolonged expiration with brief inspiration suggests an obstructive pattern; irregular breathing is nonspecific.