Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

What do Cheyne-Stokes respirations typically indicate?

1. Emotional distress

2. Infection in the lungs

3. Neurological impairment

4. Healthy breathing pattern

The correct answer is: Neurological impairment

Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a cyclical pattern of increasing and decreasing tidal volumes, followed by periods of apnea. This abnormal breathing pattern often indicates a significant underlying medical issue, particularly related to neurological impairment. Such conditions can include heart failure, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or increased intracranial pressure. These disruptions in normal respiratory rhythms suggest that there is a compromise in the brain's ability to regulate breathing effectively, which is why neurological impairment is the most relevant and correct interpretation of Cheyne-Stokes respirations. In contrast, the other options describe situations that do not align with the clinical significance of this breathing pattern. Emotional distress may lead to rapid or shallow breathing but does not typically result in the characteristic waves of Cheyne-Stokes. While infections in the lungs can alter breathing patterns, they usually lead to consistent abnormal respirations, rather than the alternating pattern seen in Cheyne-Stokes. Lastly, healthy breathing patterns are steady and regular, which is fundamentally different from the disrupted rhythms observed in Cheyne-Stokes respirations.