Danger signs of respiratory failure in bronchiolitis include

• A. Sleepy, severe retractions, diminished breath sounds, moderate to severe hypoxia.
• B. Restlessness, mild wheeze.
• C. Normal color.
• D. Cough with rhinorrhea.

Answer: (A)

In bronchiolitis, danger signs of respiratory failure reflect oxygen deprivation and work of breathing that’s no longer sustainable. Sleepiness indicates the brain isn’t getting enough oxygen or is retaining CO2, a sign of declining ventilation. Severe retractions show the child is exhausting their respiratory muscles and struggling to move air. Diminished breath sounds mean there’s reduced air entry to parts of the lungs, signaling poor ventilation. Moderate to severe hypoxia confirms that tissues aren’t receiving enough oxygen. Together, these signs point to respiratory failure needing urgent evaluation and intervention. In contrast, restlessness with a mild wheeze, normal color, or a simple cough with rhinorrhea are milder findings and do not by themselves indicate failure.