Final answer:
To assess for respiratory distress, look for symptoms and perform a physical examination. Conditions like Respiratory Distress Syndrome in infants born prematurely can cause insufficient lung inflation and gas exchange issues, characterized by abnormal breathing patterns, hypoxemia, and crackling lung sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient presents with compromised breathing, it's crucial to perform a thorough assessment to check for signs of respiratory distress. Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a notable condition that primarily affects prematurely born infants due to an insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant. This deficiency prevents proper lung inflation at birth, which leads to dyspnea, an inability to exchange gases efficiently, low blood oxygen levels, and increased blood carbon dioxide levels.
A patient with RDS or any other form of respiratory distress might exhibit symptoms such as rapid and shallow breathing, use of accessory muscles to breathe, flared nostrils, grunting, or a blue coloration of the skin due to hypoxemia. Physical examination may reveal crackling sounds upon auscultation, and the patient might have a decreased functional vital capacity, confirming the restrictive nature of the disease. In such cases, interventions to support breathing and oxygenation are necessary, which might include supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation, depending on the severity of the condition.