Tachypnea is defined as which of the following?

Tachypnea is defined as which of the following?

• A. Decreased respiratory rate
• B. Increased respiratory rate
• C. Increased heart rate
• D. Low oxygen saturation

Answer: (B)

Tachypnea means an increased respiratory rate—the breaths come faster than normal. It focuses on how often you breathe, not how deeply you breathe. In adults, normal is about 12–20 breaths per minute; tachypnea is when the rate exceeds that. This is different from an elevated heart rate (tachycardia) or from low oxygen saturation (hypoxemia). Tachypnea can occur with fever, infection, respiratory distress, or other conditions that stimulate faster breathing. So the correct idea is an increased respiratory rate.

Tachypnea means an increased respiratory rate—the breaths come faster than normal. It focuses on how often you breathe, not how deeply you breathe. In adults, normal is about 12–20 breaths per minute; tachypnea is when the rate exceeds that. This is different from an elevated heart rate (tachycardia) or from low oxygen saturation (hypoxemia). Tachypnea can occur with fever, infection, respiratory distress, or other conditions that stimulate faster breathing. So the correct idea is an increased respiratory rate.