Airway

Recognizing respiratory failure

Respiratory distress means the patient is working harder to breathe but still moving an adequate rate and tidal volume. Retractions, stridor, dyspnea, and anxiety signal distress—they do not by themselves define failure.

Respiratory failure is inadequate rate and/or tidal volume: the patient cannot ventilate effectively. Shallow tidal volume despite a normal-looking rate is a classic trap on exams and in the field—look for fatigue, altered mental status, and cyanosis as failure progresses.