What are agonal breaths?

Agonal breaths refer to isolated or infrequent gasping that occurs in the absence of normal breathing. This type of breathing may be seen in individuals who are experiencing a severe medical event, such as cardiac arrest or a critical injury. It is important to recognize agonal breaths because they are not effective for adequate ventilation and indicate that the person is in a life-threatening situation.

These gasps are often reflexive and not indicative of a normal respiratory effort. In a clinical setting, recognizing agonal breathing is crucial as it helps responders understand the immediacy of the situation, prompting the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced medical intervention. The other options describe breathing patterns that do not capture the essence of what agonal breaths are. Normal breaths in a conscious patient, gasping due to choking, or deep rhythmic breathing indicating recovery are all distinct from the infrequency and ineffectiveness of agonal breaths.