A person is considered to have abnormally low respiration rates when it falls below how many breaths per minute?

A person is considered to have abnormally low respiration rates when it falls below 12 breaths per minute. This condition, known as bradypnea, can be a sign of various underlying medical issues, including respiratory depression, certain neurological conditions, or a response to certain medications like opioids. Normal respiration rates for adults typically range from 12 to 20 breaths per minute. When the rate drops below this range, it indicates that the body may not be receiving adequate oxygen or may be struggling to expel carbon dioxide effectively.

The other options represent values that are either dangerously low or abnormally high for respiration rates in adults. A rate of 5 breaths per minute, for instance, would be critically low and likely life-threatening. Values like 35 and 50 breaths per minute indicate hyperventilation and are also outside the normal physiological range, potentially leading to other serious health complications. Understanding normal ranges for respiratory rates is crucial for patient assessment and care.