What are some common signs of respiratory distress that paramedics assess?

Assessing respiratory distress involves identifying specific physical signs that indicate a patient is struggling to breathe effectively. The presence of wheezing, stridor, nasal flaring, and the use of accessory muscles for breathing are all significant indicators of respiratory distress.

Wheezing is a high-pitched sound made during breathing, typically indicating an obstructed airway, often associated with conditions such as asthma or bronchospasm. Stridor is a harsh, grating sound that occurs when there is turbulence in the airway, often seen in cases of severe airway obstruction. Nasal flaring is a physiological response where the nostrils widen during inhalation, indicating increased effort to take in air, particularly in children. The use of accessory muscles refers to the use of muscles other than the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to aid in respiration, signaling severe difficulty in breathing. These signs collectively suggest that the patient's respiratory system is under significant stress and requires immediate evaluation and intervention by medical personnel.

In contrast, quiet breathing and relaxed posture would not typically indicate distress; instead, they suggest a state of normalcy in respiratory function. Clear breath sounds and normal oxygen saturation would indicate that the patient's respiratory status is stable and not under duress. Rapid heart rate and pale skin can be signs