Which is an early sign of poor respiratory function?

Which is an early sign of poor respiratory function?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Restlessness
• C. Fever
• D. Chest pain

Answer: (B)

Early signs of deteriorating respiratory function are changes in mental status caused by reduced oxygen delivery to the brain. Restlessness or agitation happens as the brain becomes hypoxic, which is often one of the first clues that gas exchange is worsening. This contrasts with other findings that tend to appear later or point to different problems: hypotension is more about shock and circulatory failure, fever suggests infection, and chest pain can have many causes such as cardiac or pleural conditions. So, restlessness best signals that the patient’s oxygenation is declining before more obvious signs develop.

Early signs of deteriorating respiratory function are changes in mental status caused by reduced oxygen delivery to the brain. Restlessness or agitation happens as the brain becomes hypoxic, which is often one of the first clues that gas exchange is worsening. This contrasts with other findings that tend to appear later or point to different problems: hypotension is more about shock and circulatory failure, fever suggests infection, and chest pain can have many causes such as cardiac or pleural conditions. So, restlessness best signals that the patient’s oxygenation is declining before more obvious signs develop.