How is hyperventilation defined?

Hyperventilation is defined as a condition in which a person breathes at an abnormally rapid rate and the breaths tend to be deeper than normal. This can lead to excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) being expelled from the body, resulting in a decrease in blood CO2 levels, also known as respiratory alkalosis.

In this context, the rapid nature of the breaths increases the ventilation rate well beyond the body's metabolic needs, which is why option C accurately describes hyperventilation. It reflects both the speed of breathing and the depth of each breath, highlighting the physiological changes that occur during this process.

The other definitions do not align with hyperventilation; instead, they describe different patterns of respiration that do not fit the standard understanding of hyperventilation. For example, slow and shallow breathing would indicate hypoventilation, while irregular and frequent breathing suggests a different respiratory concern altogether. Thus, understanding hyperventilation involves recognizing both the speed and depth characteristics that set it apart from other types of respiratory patterns.