Nr302 chapter 18 exam - Study guides, Class notes & Summaries

39. A patient has been admitted to the emergency department for a suspected drug overdose. His respirations are shallow, with an irregular pattern, with a rate of 12 respirations per minute. The nurse interprets this respiration pattern as which of the following? a. Bradypnea b. Cheyne-Stokes respirations c. Hypoventilation d. Chronic obstructive breathing Rationale: Hypoventilation is characterized by an irregular, shallow pattern, and can be caused by an overdose of narcotics or anesthet...