Which statement correctly describes tachypnea and bradypnea?

Which statement correctly describes tachypnea and bradypnea?

• A. Tachypnea is >20 breaths per minute; bradypnea is <12.
• B. Tachypnea is <12; bradypnea is >20.
• C. Tachypnea is 12-20; bradypnea is 20-30.
• D. Tachypnea and bradypnea are not clinically relevant.

Answer: (A)

The question tests how we define tachypnea and bradypnea in terms of breathing rate. Tachypnea means faster-than-normal breathing, while bradypnea means slower-than-normal breathing. In adults, a typical resting respiratory rate is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. So tachypnea is defined as more than 20 breaths per minute, and bradypnea as fewer than 12. This makes the statement that tachypnea is >20 breaths per minute and bradypnea is <12 the best choice. The other options mix up the ranges, or dismiss the clinical relevance of abnormal breathing rates, which isn’t accurate since deviations from normal can indicate underlying issues.

The question tests how we define tachypnea and bradypnea in terms of breathing rate. Tachypnea means faster-than-normal breathing, while bradypnea means slower-than-normal breathing. In adults, a typical resting respiratory rate is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute. So tachypnea is defined as more than 20 breaths per minute, and bradypnea as fewer than 12.

This makes the statement that tachypnea is >20 breaths per minute and bradypnea is <12 the best choice. The other options mix up the ranges, or dismiss the clinical relevance of abnormal breathing rates, which isn’t accurate since deviations from normal can indicate underlying issues.