Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

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Which of the following is NOT a clinical sign of respiratory distress?

Use of accessory muscles to breathe
Increased respiratory rate
Hypotension
Audible wheezing

The correct answer is: Hypotension

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, is not a direct clinical sign of respiratory distress. Respiratory distress is characterized by conditions affecting a person's ability to breathe effectively, typically reflected in observable symptoms related to respiration. Use of accessory muscles to breathe indicates the body’s effort to increase airflow, often seen during difficulty in breathing. An increased respiratory rate is a physiological response as the body attempts to take in more oxygen when encountering distress. Audible wheezing is a sound produced by narrowed airways, signaling issues in airflow that accompany respiratory distress. Therefore, while hypotension can be associated with various medical conditions and emergencies, it does not specifically indicate respiratory distress like the other signs listed.