What is the medical term for abnormal rapid, deep, or labored breathing?

The medical term for abnormal rapid, deep, or labored breathing is indeed tachypnea. This term specifically refers to an increased respiratory rate, which can occur in various conditions such as fever, anxiety, or respiratory complications. When a patient exhibits tachypnea, they may appear to be breathing heavily or quickly, which can be a sign of the body attempting to meet increased oxygen demands or compensate for decreased oxygen levels. Understanding tachypnea is essential in clinical practice, as it often requires further assessment to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management.

The other options represent different respiratory challenges: bradypnea refers to abnormally slow breathing; dyspnea signifies a subjective feeling of breathlessness; and apnea denotes a temporary cessation of breathing. Each of these terms describes distinct respiratory conditions that are important to recognize, but they do not convey the rapid, deep breathing associated with tachypnea.