During assessment of four clients, which client demonstrates Cheyne-stokes respiration?

• A. Client 1
• B. Client 2
• C. Client 3
• D. Client 4

Answer: (C)

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a cyclical breathing pattern where breaths progressively become deeper and sometimes faster, then shallower, and are followed by a pause or apnea before the next cycle begins. This regular crescendo–decrescendo with an intervening apnea reflects unstable respiratory control, often seen with severe heart failure or central nervous system injury.

In the scenario, the client who shows this repeating pattern of increasing then decreasing tidal volume with a brief pause between cycles demonstrates Cheyne-Stokes respiration. This distinguishes it from Biot/ataxic breathing, which is irregular and unpredictable; Kussmaul breathing, which is a steady, deep, labored pattern typical of metabolic acidosis; and other irregular breathing patterns that don’t form the characteristic cycling with apnea.