What are agonal respirations?

Agonal respirations refer specifically to irregular, gasping breaths that occur in a person who is experiencing a severe medical emergency, such as cardiac arrest. These respirations are often characterized by their periodic nature and lack of an effective breathing pattern, manifesting as shallow, sporadic, and sometimes labored attempts at breathing.

This type of breathing can be a sign that the individual is in the process of dying; it is not adequate for oxygenating the body and typically does not signify a person who is breathing effectively. Understanding this distinction is crucial for emergency medical responders, as agonal respirations indicate the need for immediate intervention, such as CPR and advanced medical care.

Normal breathing patterns, fast breathing, or deep breathing followed by periods of apnea do not describe agonal respirations accurately. Therefore, option B correctly captures the critical characteristics of agonal respirations.