What is the process of breathing in and out known as?

The process of breathing in and out is most accurately known as respiration. Respiration encompasses two main components: external respiration, which refers to the exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the lungs and the environment, and internal respiration, which involves the exchange of gases at the cellular level between the blood and the body's tissues.

While inhalation specifically describes the act of taking air into the lungs, and ventilation represents the movement of air in and out of the lungs, respiration is the broader term that includes all aspects of the process involving gas exchange and utilization of oxygen in the body. Oxygenation, on the other hand, usually refers to the process of adding oxygen to the blood, rather than the overall process of breathing. Understanding these terms is crucial for a CNA, as they relate directly to patient care and monitoring respiratory health.