What describes agonal breathing?

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Multiple Choice

What describes agonal breathing?

Agonal breathing is an abnormal, often life-threatening pattern. It looks like slow, noisy, irregular breaths that come in sporadic bursts, typically spaced out every several seconds (around 10–15 seconds). These breaths are not regular or effective enough to provide adequate air exchange. That’s why this description matches agonal breathing. By contrast, normal breathing is regular and adequate, fast and shallow breathing is a different distress pattern, and no breathing at all would be apnea. If you observe agonal breathing, treat it as a medical emergency and act as if the person needs urgent help, including calling for assistance and starting CPR if you’re trained.

Agonal breathing is an abnormal, often life-threatening pattern. It looks like slow, noisy, irregular breaths that come in sporadic bursts, typically spaced out every several seconds (around 10–15 seconds). These breaths are not regular or effective enough to provide adequate air exchange. That’s why this description matches agonal breathing. By contrast, normal breathing is regular and adequate, fast and shallow breathing is a different distress pattern, and no breathing at all would be apnea. If you observe agonal breathing, treat it as a medical emergency and act as if the person needs urgent help, including calling for assistance and starting CPR if you’re trained.

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