What is respiratory distress characterized by?

Respiratory distress is primarily characterized by a sensation of shortness of breath, which is often described by patients as feeling like they are not getting enough air. This experience can be due to various underlying issues, such as obstructed airways, lung conditions, or anxiety. It is a subjective feeling that may manifest in a variety of physiological responses, including increased respiratory effort, use of accessory muscles for breathing, and audible wheezing or stridor.

The other options reflect conditions related to breathing but do not accurately describe respiratory distress itself. Complete cessation of breath is related to respiratory arrest rather than distress. Unresponsiveness due to low oxygen indicates a more severe state of hypoxia and potentially loss of consciousness, which goes beyond just being in respiratory distress. Increased heart rate may occur as a response to respiratory distress due to physiological compensation but is not a definitive characteristic of the condition itself. Therefore, the sensation of shortness of breath is the key indicator of respiratory distress.