Which symptom would indicate a patient in respiratory distress?

The symptom indicating that a patient is in respiratory distress is the use of accessory muscles. When a patient is experiencing difficulty breathing, their body often recruits additional muscles beyond the diaphragm and intercostal muscles to help facilitate respiration. This use of accessory muscles—such as those in the neck and shoulders—signals that the body is struggling to obtain adequate oxygen and may be working harder than normal to breathe.

In normal breathing, the engagement of accessory muscles is minimal or absent. When you observe someone using these muscles, it's a clear indication that they are in distress and that their respiratory system is under strain. Patients in respiratory distress may exhibit additional signs, but the use of accessory muscles is a critical indicator for emergency responders to recognize.

The other choices, while they may be associated with respiratory issues, do not specifically demonstrate acute respiratory distress as clearly as the use of accessory muscles. Rapid heart rate may occur due to various conditions, including anxiety or pain. Wheezing can be a sign of respiratory obstruction or constriction but does not by itself indicate respiratory distress without additional context of the patient’s overall presentation. A calm demeanor, on the other hand, typically suggests that the patient may not be in a state of distress, especially in the context of respiratory difficulties, which