Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

You are assessing a semiconscious patient's respirations and note that they are 18 breaths/min. When further assessing the patient's breathing, which of the following signs would indicate inadequate breathing?

1. Shallow movement of the chest

2. Deep, regular breaths

3. Rapid, shallow breaths

4. Ability to speak in full sentences

The correct answer is: Shallow movement of the chest

The presence of shallow movement of the chest is indicative of inadequate breathing because it suggests that the patient is not taking in enough air to adequately oxygenate their blood. In such cases, the respiratory effort may appear minimal, resulting in insufficient ventilation. In a semiconscious patient, shallow breathing can signify that the body's drive to breathe is compromised — potentially due to a neurological issue, respiratory condition, or sedation. Effective respiration involves both the depth and rate of breaths; thus, shallow breaths can lead to hypoxia and inadequate gas exchange, as the volume of air entering the lungs is too low. Other signs mentioned, such as deep, regular breaths or rapid, shallow breaths, may indicate different underlying conditions but do not necessarily point to inadequate breathing in the same way that shallow chest movement does. The ability to speak in full sentences suggests that the airway is adequate and that breathing is effective enough to support normal speech, further reinforcing that breathing is not compromised in that scenario.