Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

Which disorder is characterized by Cheyne-Stokes breathing?

1. Asthma

2. CHF

3. Raynaud phenomenon

4. COPD

The correct answer is: CHF

Cheyne-Stokes breathing is a specific pattern of breathing characterized by periods of apnea followed by gradually increasing and then decreasing tidal volumes. This type of breathing is often associated with various medical conditions, most notably congestive heart failure (CHF). In CHF, the heart's reduced ability to pump blood effectively can result in altered perfusion of the brain, influencing the respiratory centers and leading to this distinctive breathing pattern. In addition, Cheyne-Stokes respiration can occur in conditions where there is increased intracranial pressure or in situations like heart failure, where the body responds to fluctuating oxygen levels and compensates by altering the breathing pattern. This is notably observed in terminally ill patients and those with significant heart dysfunction. Other disorders mentioned, such as asthma and COPD, primarily display different breathing irregularities, such as wheezing or prolonged expiration due to airway obstruction. Raynaud phenomenon is unrelated to breathing patterns as it concerns blood flow and temperature regulation in peripheral parts of the body.