Question

Because infants and small children rely more heavily on the diaphragm for breathing, respiratory distress can be detected by observing which one of the following signs that is not prominent in adults?
A) Bulging of the intercostal spaces
B) Use of the sternocleidomastoid muscles of the neck
C) Movement of the abdomen with respiratory effort
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: The answer is C- Movement of the abdomen with respiratory effort.

Explanation:

Adults require the coordinated use of the diaphragm, the intercostal muscles and the abdominal muscles for breathing.

However babies and young children make use of the abdominal muscles to pull the diaphragm down for breathing. Their intercostal muscles are not yet fully developed at birth. It is therefore easy to observe respiratory distress by observing the movement of the abdominal muscles.