Which of the following signs is indicative of respiratory distress in infants?

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• Learning the signs of respiratory distress
• What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Respiratory Distress Syndrome?
• What Happens in Respiratory Distress Syndrome?
• How Is Respiratory Distress Syndrome Diagnosed?
• How Is Respiratory Distress Syndrome Treated?
• What Else Should I Know?
• Which of the following are common signs of respiratory distress in the infant?
• Which of the following signs is indicative of respiratory distress in infants quizlet?
• What are 4 common signs of respiratory distress in a newborn?
• Which assessment signs is noted in the newborn infant with respiratory distress syndrome?

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Signs of Respiratory Distress

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Signs of Respiratory Distress

Learning the signs of respiratory distress

People having trouble breathing often show signs that they are having to work harder to breathe or are not getting enough oxygen, indicating respiratory distress. Below is a list of some of the signs that may indicate that a person is working harder to breathe and may not be getting enough oxygen. It is important to learn the signs of respiratory distress to know how to respond. Always see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis:

• Breathing rate. An increase in the number of breaths per minute may mean that a person is having trouble breathing or not getting enough oxygen.

• Color changes. A bluish color seen around the mouth, on the inside of the lips, or on the fingernails may happen when a person is not getting as much oxygen as needed. The color of the skin may also appear pale or gray.

• Grunting. A grunting sound can be heard each time the person exhales. This grunting is the body's way of trying to keep air in the lungs so they will stay open.

• Nose flaring. The openings of the nose spreading open while breathing may mean that a person is having to work harder to breathe.

• Retractions. The chest appears to sink in just below the neck or under the breastbone with each breath or both. This is one way of trying to bring more air into the lungs, and can also be seen under the rib cage or even in the muscles between the ribs.

• Sweating. There may be increased sweat on the head, but the skin does not feel warm to the touch. More often, the skin may feel cool or clammy. This may happen when the breathing rate is very fast.

• Wheezing. A tight, whistling or musical sound heard with each breath can mean that the air passages may be smaller (tighter), making it harder to breathe.

• Body position. A person may spontaneously lean forward while sitting to help take deeper breaths. This is a warning sign that he or she is about to collapse. 

If you see someone with these symptoms, call 911. If the person is in a healthcare facility, immediately notify a health care professional.  You may also want to consider taking a first aid or CPR class so you are prepared for medical emergencies. 

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a breathing problem that affects newborns, mostly those who are born more than 6 weeks early. The earlier or more premature a baby is born, the more likely the baby will develop RDS.

Many babies with milder symptoms get better in 3–4 days. Those who are very premature may take longer to recover.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Respiratory Distress Syndrome?

Within minutes or hours of being born, a baby with RDS will have breathing problems. If untreated, these problems get worse over time.

Symptoms of RDS include:

• fast breathing
• noisy breathing or grunting
• retractions (a tugging in of the muscles between the ribs, under the ribcage, and at the neck) while trying to breathe
• a blue tint in the lips, nail beds, and skin from lack of oxygen, called

What Happens in Respiratory Distress Syndrome?

RDS happens when a baby's lungs don't make enough of a fatty substance called surfactant (ser-FAK-tent).

Surfactant is made in the last few weeks of pregnancy. It helps tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli (al-VEE-oh-lye) open more easily. These sacs fill with air when a baby breathes after birth. Surfactant also helps keep the alveoli open when air leaves the lungs.

When a baby with RDS tries to breathe:

• many of the alveoli cave in and can't open
• oxygen can't get to the blood
• carbon dioxide can't leave the body

If untreated, in time this can damage a baby's brain and other vital organs.

How Is Respiratory Distress Syndrome Diagnosed?

Health care providers will suspect RDS in a premature baby who has trouble breathing and needs oxygen soon after birth. A chest X-ray of the lungs can confirm the diagnosis.

How Is Respiratory Distress Syndrome Treated?

To help prevent respiratory distress syndrome, doctors can give steroid medicines to pregnant women who are likely to deliver their babies early (before 37 weeks of gestation). Steroids help the baby's lungs mature and make more surfactant before the baby is born.

Doctors will give oxygen to a baby who has signs of RDS and breathing trouble. If breathing problems continue, the baby may need continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). With CPAP:

• The baby wears a mask or a  that's connected to a machine.
• The machine sends a stream of air or oxygen into the lungs through the nose.

CPAP opens the alveoli, supplies oxygen, and prevents the alveoli from collapsing. A baby who continues to have signs of respiratory distress or trouble maintaining a good oxygen level may need more support with a breathing machine or ventilator.

Babies with RDS may need treatment with surfactant. Doctors give surfactant through a breathing tube right into the lungs.

Babies with RDS get treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). There, a team of experts cares for these newborns, including:

• doctors who specialize in newborn care (neonatologists)
• skilled nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners
• respiratory therapists, who help with breathing machines

Many babies start to get better within 3 to 4 days, as their lungs start to make surfactant on their own. They'll start to breathe easier, look comfortable, need less oxygen, and can be weaned from the support of CPAP or a ventilator. Some babies — especially very premature babies — need longer treatment until they can breathe on their own.

What Else Should I Know?

Respiratory support with oxygen and a ventilator helps newborn babies with respiratory distress. But long-term use can damage a premature baby's lungs. Some babies born very early need oxygen support for a long time, leading to a condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Which of the following are common signs of respiratory distress in the infant?

Babies who have RDS may show these signs:.

Fast breathing very soon after birth..

Grunting “ugh” sound with each breath..

Changes in color of lips, fingers and toes..

Widening (flaring) of the nostrils with each breath..

Chest retractions - skin over the breastbone and ribs pulls in during breathing..

Which of the following signs is indicative of respiratory distress in infants quizlet?

Expiratory grunting, nasal flaring, substernal retractions, cyanosis in hands feet and around her mouth. These signs and symptoms are indicative of RDS.

What are 4 common signs of respiratory distress in a newborn?

What are the symptoms?.

Fast and shallow breathing..

Grunting..

Flaring of the nostrils with each breath..

Bluish tone to a baby's skin and lips..

Pulling inward of the muscles between the ribs when breathing..

Which assessment signs is noted in the newborn infant with respiratory distress syndrome?

Respiratory distress in the newborn is recognized as one or more signs of increased work of breathing, such as tachypnea, nasal flaring, chest retractions, or grunting.

Which of the following signs is indicative of respiratory distress in infants quizlet?

Which of the following signs and symptoms would indicate respiratory distress?

What are 4 common signs of respiratory distress in a newborn?

Which of the following are common signs of respiratory distress in the infant?