Question

A healthcare provider is performing a primary assessment of a child in respiratory distress. The provider documents increased work of breathing when which findings are observed?

Select all correct options that apply.
A. Nasal flaring
B. Intercostal, substernal or suprasternal retractions
C. Accessory muscle use
D. Inspiratory stridor
E. Rales

Answer 1

Increased work of breathing in a child with respiratory distress is indicated by (A) nasal flaring ,
(B) intercostal/substernal/suprasternal retractions, (C) use of accessory muscles, and (D) inspiratory stridor.

Step-by-step explanation:

Indicators of Increased Work of Breathing in Respiratory Distress

A healthcare provider performing a primary assessment of a child in respiratory distress will document increased work of breathing when the following findings are observed:

• Nasal flaring
  
  
• Intercostal, substernal, or suprasternal retractions
  
  
• Accessory muscle use
  
  
• Inspiratory stridor

Rales, though indicative of a lung abnormality and possible respiratory infection, are not generally considered a sign of increased work of breathing but rather an abnormal lung sound that can be associated with conditions such as pneumonia or Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).


Increased work of breathing is a direct result of the body's need to compensate for impaired lung function, and may involve the use of accessory muscles of breathing, such as the scalenes and obliques during forced inspiration and expiration, respectively.