How would an adult's breathing pattern described as "irregular" be assessed?

An adult's breathing pattern described as "irregular" can be effectively assessed by evaluating both the frequency and depth of breaths. This method provides comprehensive insights into the individual's respiratory status, offering details about how often the person breathes (frequency) and the quality of each breath (depth). Irregular breathing can manifest through variations in how deep or shallow each breath is, as well as fluctuations in the rate of breathing, which are crucial factors in assessing respiratory health.

Monitoring frequency alone might not capture the full picture, as it ignores whether the breaths are shallow or deep, which can indicate different health issues. Measurement of lung volume primarily focuses on the total amount of air the lungs can hold, and while important, does not directly assess the irregularity of the breathing pattern. Monitoring blood gases provides information about the effectiveness of gas exchange in the lungs, yet it does not directly measure the patterns of breathing. Evaluating frequency and depth together allows for a thorough understanding of the irregularity in breathing patterns, making it the most suitable method for assessment in this case.