What term describes rapid and shallow respirations?

The term that describes rapid and shallow respirations is tachypnea. This condition is characterized by an increased respiratory rate, which can lead to ineffective ventilation if the breaths are shallow. Tachypnea can be a response to various stimuli, such as fever, anxiety, pain, or respiratory disorders, indicating that the body is trying to meet its metabolic demands despite inadequate depth of breathing.

In contrast, tachycardia refers to an abnormally fast heart rate, while bradycardia indicates a slow heart rate. Hyperventilation, on the other hand, involves rapid breathing that can lead to an excess loss of carbon dioxide and is typically deeper than the shallow breaths associated with tachypnea. Thus, tachypnea specifically focuses on the rapidity and shallowness of breaths, making it the correct term for this scenario.