Tachypnea is best described as which of the following?

• A. Normal breathing
• B. Rapid breathing
• C. Difficult breathing
• D. Breathing during orthopnea

Answer: (B)

Tachypnea is defined by an increased rate of breathing. The main idea is the number of breaths per minute, not how hard the breaths are or the position of the patient. In adults, normal breathing is about 12 to 20 breaths per minute; tachypnea means this rate is faster than normal. Sometimes the breaths are shallow, but the key feature is the quicker breathing rhythm.

This is different from eupnea (normal breathing), dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing), and orthopnea (difficulty breathing when lying flat). So the best description is rapid breathing.