Signs of Respiratory Distress (Breathless pts)

    Cards (1)

    • Signs of Respiratory Distress:
      • accessory muscles use e.g. sternocleidomastoid, scalenes - increase thoracic capacity vertically
      • increased respiratory rate
      • fixed upper limb - pectoralis minor used as an inspiratory muscle, moving rib
      • cant talk in full sentences
      • pursed lip breathing - generates positive pressure in airways to splint them open, used by patients with obstructive disease
      • increased I:E ratio from 1:2 to 1:4 due to airway narrowing
      • active expiration - abdominal muscles working when breathing out
      • recession of muscles - soft tissue sucked in - intercostal muscles are fatigued