Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing?

Inadequate breathing can be identified through specific physical signs and symptoms, one of which is the use of accessory muscles during respiration. When a patient is experiencing difficulty breathing, their body may recruit additional muscles in the neck and chest to assist with the effort of inhalation. This is often seen as the shoulders rising with each breath or a visible strain in the neck area. The activation of these muscles indicates that the body is struggling to get enough air, highlighting that the primary muscles of respiration (the diaphragm and intercostal muscles) are not sufficient for effective breathing.

Other options, like warm, dry skin, no audible sounds, and equal chest expansion, do not indicate inadequate breathing. In fact, warm, dry skin can be a sign of normal skin condition rather than respiratory distress. No audible sounds may suggest quiet breathing but doesn’t necessarily indicate inadequate airflow. Equal chest expansion typically suggests that both lungs are functioning well, meaning that the breathing is adequate rather than inadequate. Therefore, the presence of accessory muscle use is the most telling sign of inadequate breathing among the given options.