Which physiological condition may alter respiration rate?

Pneumonia or other respiratory diseases can significantly alter the respiration rate due to their direct impact on the lungs and overall respiratory function. When an individual has pneumonia, the lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid or pus, impairing the ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide effectively. This leads the body to compensate for reduced oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide levels by increasing the respiratory rate in an attempt to improve oxygenation and clear out carbon dioxide. Respiratory diseases can also trigger other physiological responses, such as increased work of breathing, which further affects the respiratory rate. This physiological mechanism illustrates why pneumonia and similar conditions are critical factors that can lead to variations in breathing patterns.