An adult is admitted to the emergency department with a respiratory rate of 32 breaths per minute and gasping.The nursing interview reveals the client witnessed a drive-by shooting.The nurse recognizes the client's rapid breathing is probably driven by:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rapid breathing and gasping seen in this client are likely a result of an acute stress reaction, specifically the “fight or flight” response. This response is controlled by the brainstem and leads to increased respiratory and heart rates, as well as other physiologic changes, in order to prepare the body to respond to a perceived threat. Increased cerebral cortex perfusion and alveolar capillary bed perfusion are not likely to be driving factors in this scenario, and a sudden increase in blood pressure may be seen as a result of the stress response, but is not the primary cause of the rapid breathing.

An Adult Is Admitted to the Emergency Department with a Respiratory