Which statement best distinguishes Adequate Breathing from Inadequate Breathing?

• A. Adequate includes abnormal rate; Inadequate includes normal rate
• B. Adequate is rapid and shallow; Inadequate is slow and deep
• C. Adequate is normal rate, depth, and effort; Inadequate is abnormal rate, shallow or labored
• D. Adequate requires accessory muscle use

Answer: (C)

In assessing breathing, the key idea is to look at rate, depth, and the effort of breathing. Adequate breathing means normal rate, normal depth, and normal, effortless breathing. Inadequate breathing shows up when any of those elements are off—abnormal rate (too fast or too slow), abnormal depth (too shallow or too deep), or increased work of breathing such as using accessory muscles, nasal flaring, or evident distress. The statement that best fits this is that adequate breathing has normal rate, depth, and effort, while inadequate breathing is characterized by abnormal rate, shallow or labored breaths. Descriptions that include rapid and shallow as adequate, or that require accessory muscle use even for adequacy, misrepresent what normal ventilation looks like and signal distress.