Final answer:
Hoarseness, stridor, accessory respiratory muscle use, and sternal retraction are signs of respiratory distress, which indicates difficulty in breathing due to various possible causes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hoarseness, stridor, use of accessory respiratory muscles, and sternal retraction are clinical signs indicating a patient is experiencing respiratory distress. Respiratory distress happens when the breathing system is struggling to deliver enough oxygen to the body or to remove carbon dioxide efficiently. This condition can be triggered by a variety of factors such as asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis. It's important to note that although anaphylaxis can cause similar symptoms, the prompts describe signs more specific to respiratory distress. In anaphylaxis, additional symptoms like widespread hives, swelling, and plummeting blood pressure are also typical. Cardiac arrest is primarily characterized by a loss of heart function and consciousness, while a pulmonary embolism may include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough but not typically hoarseness or sternal retraction.