How should a nurse explain that the breathing pattern has been altered when a patient complains of tachypnea? (Select all that apply.)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tachypnea is a rapid breathing rate, and it is often caused by decreased oxygen levels in the blood. This signals the phrenic nerve to alter the respiration rate, and the muscles of respiration respond to this stimulus. Increased pH levels do stimulate chemoreceptors, but this would cause hypoventilation and not tachypnea. The brain becoming hypoxic and deflated lung tissue may also cause alterations in respiration rate but are not specific to tachypnea.

How Should a Nurse Explain That the Breathing Pattern Has