rebreathing
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re·breath·ing
(rē-brēdh'ing),Inhalation of part or all of gases previously exhaled.
re·breath·ing
(rē-brē′thĭng)n.
The partial or complete inhalation of previously exhaled gases.
rebreathing
[rēbrē′thing]
Etymology: L, re + AS, braeth, breath
breathing in a closed system. Exhaled gas mixes with the gas in the system, and some of this mixture is then reinhaled. Rebreathing, which may result in progressively decreasing concentrations of oxygen and progressively increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the blood, can occur in poorly ventilated environments.
re·breath·ing
(rē-brēdh'ing)Inhalation of gases, partially or completely previously exhaled.
rebreathing
inhalation of previously expired air:as in rescue breathing (where rescuer exhales air into the lungs of a subject in respiratory failure); see basic life support
to control dizziness and digital paraesthesia induced by hyperventilation; the subject re-inhales expired air (from cupped hands, or from a paper bag) to reverse the effects of exhaling excess carbon dioxide (see hyperventilation)
re·breath·ing
(rē-brēdh'ing)Inhalation of part or all of gases previously exhaled.
rebreathing,
n breathing into a closed system. Exhaled gas mixes with the gas in the closed system, and some of this mixture is then reinhaled. Rebreathing is used as part of a general anesthesia technique in which a rebreathing bag functions as a reservoir for anesthetic gases and oxygen. The bag may be squeezed or pumped to assist in proper respiration while the patient is under deep anesthesia.