Today our topic of discussion is Abnormal Respiration.
Abnormal Respiration
Abnormal Respirations
- Strider respiration: It is noisy shrill and vibrating respiration. It is due to obstruction in the upper airway. It is commonly seen in laryngitis and foreign body in the respiratory tract.
- Apnea: This is a temporary cessation of breathing due to excessive oxygen and lack of carbon dioxide.
- Dyspnea: This is forced, difficult or labored breathing. It may be accompanied by pain and cyanosis; it is seen in heart diseases, respiratory diseases, convulsions, etc.
- Orthopnea: The patient can breathe only in upright position. Commonly found in congestive cardiac failure.
- Cheyne-Stokes respiration: This is respiration which gradually increases in rate and volume until it reaches a climax. Then slowly pause occurs and breathing stops for 5 to 30 seconds and then cycle begins again. It is a periodic breathing usually found in the patients who are near death.
- Asphyxia: It is a state of suffocation when the lungs do not get a sufficient supply of fresh air to the vital organs and they are deprived of oxygen.
- Cyanosis: It is the blueness or discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane due to lack of oxygen in the tissues.
- Rale: An abnormal rattling or bubbling sound caused by the mucus in the air passages as seen in the bronchitis of pneumonia.
- Kussmaul’s respiration: Respiration is abnormally deep but regular, rate is increased. It is seen in diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Biot’s respiration: It is shallow breathing interrupted by irregular periods of apnea, seen in central nervous system disorders.
Preliminary Assessment
- Determine the need to assess client’s respiration.
- If client has been active, wait 5 or 10 minutes before assessing respiration.
- Assess respirations as first vital sign in infant or child.
- Assess respiration after pulse measurement in adult.
- Be sure client is in a comfortable position, preferably sitting.
- Be sure client’s chest movement is visible. If necessary remove bed lines or gown.
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