The respiratory pattern with rhythmic increase and decrease of rate and depth of respiration, then brief periods of apnea, is known as

Question

a. central neurogenic hyperventilation. c. ataxic respirations.
b. apneustic breathing. d. Cheyne-Stokes respirations.

Answer 1

D
Cheyne-Stokes respirations have a rhythmic crescendo and decrescendo of rate and depth of respiration, including brief periods of apnea. These respirations are usually seen with bilateral deep cerebral lesions or some cerebellar lesions. Central neurogenic hyperventilations are very deep, very rapid respirations with no apneic periods. They are usually seen with lesions of the midbrain and upper pons. Apneustic breathing includes clusters of irregular, gasping respirations separated by long periods of apnea. They are usually seen in lesions of the lower pons or upper medulla. Ataxic respirations are irregular, random patterns of deep and shallow respirations with irregular apneic periods. They are usually seen in lesions of the medulla.