What is Cheyne-Stokes respiration characterized by?

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is characterized by a specific pattern where an individual experiences cycles of deep, rapid breathing followed by periods of shallow breathing or apnea. This pattern typically consists of an initial phase of increasing depth and frequency of breaths, leading to hyperventilation, followed by a decline in breathing effort and depth, ultimately resulting in a temporary halt in breathing.

This alternating pattern is often indicative of issues related to the brain or significant respiratory distress and can be observed in various conditions, such as congestive heart failure, stroke, or head injury. The distinctive cyclical nature of deep, fast breathing combined with breathlessness distinguishes this pattern from other types of respiratory issues.

The other options do not accurately capture the unique characteristics of Cheyne-Stokes respiration, as they either describe different breathing patterns or fail to reflect the alternating cycles that define this type of respiration.