Which term describes a decreased respiratory rate in some pathologic conditions?

• A. Tachypnea
• B. Bradypnea
• C. Apnea
• D. Orthopnea

Answer: (B)

Bradypnea describes a slower-than-normal breathing rate. Normal resting adult breathing is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute; when the rate drops below that, it’s bradypnea. This term is used in pathologic contexts where breathing slows due to factors like central nervous system depression, metabolic issues, or certain drug effects. In contrast, tachypnea means an increased rate, apnea is a pause in breathing, and orthopnea refers to difficulty breathing when lying flat—often related to heart failure rather than a change in rate. So the described decreased respiratory rate is bradypnea.