Management
Severe Respiratory Distress
•Retractions and the use of accessory muscles –
Retractions occur with airway obstruction (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], foreign body) and can be seen in the suprasternal, intercostal, and subcostal area.
They are an ominous sign suggesting extreme respiratory distress, fatigue of the respiratory muscles, and the potential for respiratory failure.
Patients with neuromuscular disease may not manifest retractions due to muscle weakness, even in the face of severe respiratory compromise.
Optimize arterial oxygenation (Nasal Oxygen, Intubation)
Monitor with Pulse Oximetry
Identify Life threatening Conditions
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