| Table 2-1 | Patterns of Respiration |
| Description | Pattern | Associated Features |
|---|
| Normal | 12-20 breaths/min; Regular | 
| Normal pattern |
| Tachypnea | >24 breaths/min; Shallow | 
| Fever, anxiety, exercise, respiratory disorders |
| Bradypnea | ;10 breaths/min; Regular | 
| Depression of the respiratory center by medications, brain damage |
| Hyperventilation | Increased rate and depth | 
| Extreme exercise, fear, diabetic ketoacidosis (Kussmaul's respirations), overdose of aspirin |
| Hypoventilation | Decreased rate and depth; irregular | 
| Overdose of narcotics or anesthetics |
| Cheyne-Stokes respirations | Alternating periods of deep, rapid breathing followed by periods of apnea; regular | 
| Drug overdose, heart failure, increased intracranial pressure, renal failure |
| Biot's respirations | Varying depth and rate of breathing, followed by periods of apnea; irregular | 
| Meningitis, severe brain damage |