Which term describes excessive breathing?

• A. Arrhythmia
• B. Atheroma
• C. Sinusitis
• D. Hyperpnea

Answer: (D)

Excessive breathing is described as hyperpnea. The term combines hyper- (above or increased) with -pnea (breathing), so it refers to a true increase in both the depth and the rate of breaths, often in response to higher metabolic needs like exercise or fever. That makes it the best fit for “excessive breathing.”

Other terms don’t describe breathing patterns: arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm, atheroma is fatty plaque buildup in arteries, and sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses.