Which term denotes suffocation?

Which term denotes suffocation?

• A. Asphyxia
• B. Cyanosis
• C. Bradypnea
• D. Cilia

Answer: (A)

Suffocation is described by the term asphyxia, which means the body is deprived of oxygen due to an obstruction or interruption of breathing. Asphyxia encompasses the failure to obtain adequate oxygen and the buildup of carbon dioxide, and it describes the event of suffocation itself. A visible sign like cyanosis can occur with low oxygen, but it is a symptom, not the term for the event. Bradypnea is simply abnormally slow breathing, which can occur for other reasons, and cilia are tiny hair-like structures involved in clearing mucus, not related to suffocation. So asphyxia best denotes suffocation.

Suffocation is described by the term asphyxia, which means the body is deprived of oxygen due to an obstruction or interruption of breathing. Asphyxia encompasses the failure to obtain adequate oxygen and the buildup of carbon dioxide, and it describes the event of suffocation itself. A visible sign like cyanosis can occur with low oxygen, but it is a symptom, not the term for the event. Bradypnea is simply abnormally slow breathing, which can occur for other reasons, and cilia are tiny hair-like structures involved in clearing mucus, not related to suffocation. So asphyxia best denotes suffocation.