What term describes the irregular breaths observed in a patient who is in cardiac arrest?

Agonal gasps refer to the irregular, shallow breaths that can occur in a patient experiencing cardiac arrest. These gasps are often uncertain and sporadic and represent a final effort by the body to attempt breathing. They are not effective for sustaining life and often occur in the moments leading up to death. In this context, recognizing agonal gasps is crucial for emergency responders, as it signifies a critical need for immediate medical intervention, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Other types of respirations, such as ataxic, Biot, or Cheyne-Stokes, describe different patterns of breathing associated with various medical conditions, but they do not specifically represent the gasping seen in cardiac arrest scenarios. Understanding the presence of agonal gasps can help differentiate life-threatening situations that require urgent care.