Question

Nasal flaring and retractions are signs of ________.

1) an adequate airway
2) apnea
3) an inadequate airway
4) tachypnea

Answer 1

Nasal flaring and retractions are signs of an inadequate airway, indicating difficulty in breathing and airway compromise.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nasal flaring and retractions are signs of an inadequate airway. These symptoms indicate that a person is struggling to breathe and is often seen in conditions where the airway is compromised, such as in severe asthma, respiratory infections, or other causes of respiratory distress. Nasal flaring is the outward movement of the nostrils during breathing, indicating an increased effort to draw in air. Retractions are the inward movement of the chest wall, particularly noticeable between the ribs or under the ribcage, and sometimes above the collarbones, which happens when someone is trying hard to breathe. They are trying to use additional muscles to help move air in and out of the lungs when the normal mechanisms are not sufficient. The correct answer to the student's question would be option 3) an inadequate airway.