Which statement about agonal breathing is true?

• A. It is a normal breathing pattern.
• B. It is a slow, noisy, irregular breath usually occurring every 10-15 seconds.
• C. It indicates full recovery.
• D. It occurs only in children.

Answer: (B)

Agonal breathing describes gasping, irregular breaths seen in severe distress such as during cardiac arrest. It is not normal breathing. These breaths are often slow, irregular, and noisy, and they can occur in brief, sporadic bursts—typically spaced about every 10 seconds. Because this pattern is ineffective at providing adequate oxygen, it does not signal recovery. It can occur in people of any age, not just children. So the statement describing a slow, noisy, irregular breath occurring roughly every 10–15 seconds accurately reflects agonal breathing.