Etymed
bradypnea
Definition
abnormally slow breathing rate
Clinical context
A 65-year-old male presents to the emergency department with altered mental status and respiratory depression after being found unresponsive at home. His respiratory rate is 6 breaths per minute, and his Glasgow Coma Scale score is 8. He has a history of chronic pain managed with opioids. The slow respiratory rate is consistent with opioid toxicity.
Mnemonic
BRADYpnea = BRADY + pnea (slow breathing)