A person with respiratory distress has severe
difficulty breathing.
Physical findings in someone with respiratory distress include:
- Signs of severe difficulty breathing:
- Rib retractions: ribs are visible during each breath
- Nasal flaring: nostrils open wide during each breath
- Use of accessory muscles: neck muscles are prominent during each breath
- Cyanosis
- Abnormal lung sounds:
- During examination with a stethoscope
- Rapid heart rate
- Rapid breathing rate
| Age | Upper Normal | Abnormal |
| 6mo - 1 year | 40 breaths per min | 60 breaths per min |
| 1 - 3 years | 30 breaths per min | 50 breaths per min |
| 4 - 5 years | 28 breaths per min | 45 breaths per min |
| 5 - 6 years | 26 breaths per min | 40 breaths per min |
| 6 - 12 years | 24 breaths per min | 30 breaths per min |
| Over 12 years | 20 breaths per min | 25+ breaths per min |
