What it means
Named after John Cheyne and William Stokes, two Irish physicians. Breathing builds up to deep, faster breaths, fades to shallow ones, then stops for a time (apneaAP-nee-uhA pause in breathing, or breathing that has stopped.a- without-pnea breathingFull entry ) before the cycle starts again. It happens when the brain's control of breathing is affected, as in severe heart failure, stroke or brain injury, and it is common in the last days of life.
For the nurse
Watch for a full minute and time the pauses. In a dying client, explain to the family that this pattern is expected and usually not distressing to the client.
At a glance
| Also written | Cheyne-Stokes, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, Cheyne Stokes, Cheyne-Stokes breathing |
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Related terms
Kussmaul respirations
A breathing pattern of deep, rapid, labored breaths at an even pace.
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
respiration
Breathing air in and out, and the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air, the blood and the cells.
apnea
A pause in breathing, or breathing that has stopped.