Which breathing pattern is described by periodic deep breaths alternating with apnea?

• A. Ataxic Breathing
• B. Cheyne-Stokes Breathing
• C. Hyperventilation
• D. Kussmaul Breathing

Answer: (B)

Periodic deep breaths followed by brief pauses in breathing describe Cheyne-Stokes breathing. This pattern shows a repeating cycle where the depth of breaths gradually increases (crescendo), then decreases (decrescendo) to a stop (apnea) before the next cycle begins. It often signals a disturbance in the central nervous system or heart–lung status, such as advanced heart failure, stroke, or brain injury, and can appear in patients who are dying.

Why the other patterns don’t fit: Ataxic (Biot) breathing is irregular and unpredictable, with no regular crescendo–decrescendo or apnea cycle. Hyperventilation involves rapid, shallow or deep breathing without the characteristic pauses between cycles. Kussmaul breathing is a continuous, deep, labored pattern with no apneic pauses and is typically driven by metabolic acidosis.