What term is used to describe rapid and shallow breathing?

The term that describes rapid and shallow breathing is tachypnea. This physiological response is often an indicator of various underlying conditions, such as fever, anxiety, or respiratory disorders, where the body attempts to increase oxygen intake and expel carbon dioxide. Tachypnea can be measured by observing the respiratory rate, which is typically defined as an increased rate of breaths taken per minute.

In contrast to other options, bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate, hyperventilation involves rapid breathing but not necessarily shallow breaths (it often implies that the depth is greater than normal), and apnea signifies a temporary cessation of breathing. Thus, tachypnea specifically captures the characteristics of being both rapid and shallow, making it the correct term in this context.