Breathing Difficulty

Breathing Difficulty  

Respiratory Distress (Breathing Difficulty): Estimation by Telephone 

• Mild Respiratory Distress:  

• rapid respiratory rate (tachypnea)  

• Mild wheezing and chest tightness may also be present.  

• Urgency of referral varies 

• Moderate Respiratory Distress:  

• labored breathing with some retractions and nasal flaring.  

• If present, wheezing is now audible, tight and persistent (i.e. can hear over the telephone) 

• Response: Go to ED Now by car 

• Severe Respiratory Distress:  

• marked respiratory effort (struggling to breathe) and severe retractions.  

• Cyanosis may occur.  

• Breathing may stop (apnea).  

• The other extreme is the slow, weak breathing (agonal breathing) that precedes apnea. 

• Response to all of these: Call EMS 911 Now