Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by which of the following?

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by a specific pattern of irregular breathing that alternates between periods of apnea (no breathing) and hyperpnea (increased breathing). This cyclical pattern is often observed in patients with certain types of neurological dysfunction or heart failure and can also occur in the context of terminal illness.

This type of breathing can be indicative of a malfunction in the body’s brainstem regulation of respiration, typically due to conditions affecting the central nervous system. The key feature is the fluctuation between rapid shallow breaths and complete cessation of breathing, rather than consistent breathing patterns. Understanding this distinguishes Cheyne-Stokes respiration from other types of respiratory patterns that may involve wheezing, rattling sounds, or deep gasping breaths associated with other medical conditions.