During a respiratory assessment of an infant diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome, a depression in the supraclavicular and intercostal areas of the thorax was noted with inspiration. This observation is documented as:

a. grunting.

b. tachypnea.

c. retractions.

d. nasal flaring.

Answer: c) Retractions

Explanation:

Retraction is defined as the phenomena in which a person tries hard to breathe. In this mechanism, it becomes difficult for any person or infant to take in air so that it can reach lungs.

Due to respiratory distress syndrome, retraction can be caused in infants as they have soft as well as not completely grown chest portion. Therefore, this disorder can induce slow breathing due to lack of surfactant that result in fall down of lungs.

Other option are incorrect because grunting, nasal flaring and tachypnea are not the disorders that causes difficulty in respiration of infant due to collapsing of lungs. Thus, the correct option is option (c).