What it means
The act of taking air in (inhalation) and letting it out (exhalation, or expirationek-spuh-RAY-shunBreathing out; letting air flow out of the lungs. Also the date after which a product should not be used.ex- outspir/o breathe-ation processFull entry ). The diaphragm and the muscles between the ribs do most of the work; neck and shoulder muscles help when breathing is hard. Nurses describe breathing by its rate, depth, rhythm and effort, and by sounds such as wheezing or stridor.
For the nurse
Count breaths for 30 seconds (a full minute if irregular) without telling the client, so they do not change their breathing. In the ABCs of emergencies, breathing comes right after airway.
At a glance
| Spanish | respiración |
|---|---|
| Also written | breathe, breathes, breathed |
Related terms
respiratory rate
The number of breaths a person takes in one minute.
respiration
Breathing air in and out, and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air, the blood and the cells.
inhalation
Breathing in; also, a way of giving a drug as a mist or powder that is breathed into the lungs.
expiration
Breathing out; letting air flow out of the lungs. Also the date after which a product should not be used.