Which of the following is a sign of respiratory distress?

Rapid breathing is a key indicator of respiratory distress. When the body encounters difficulty in breathing or inadequate oxygen supply, it often compensates by increasing the rate of respiration in an effort to meet the oxygen demands. This pattern can be observed in various conditions such as asthma attacks, pneumonia, or other obstructive or restrictive airway diseases.

The physiological reasoning behind rapid breathing lies in the body's attempt to increase oxygen intake—if the lungs are unable to provide sufficient oxygen due to illness or injury, the respiratory rate tends to escalate. This helps ensure that oxygen levels in the blood remain adequate despite the underlying issue affecting respiration.

In contrast, excessive sweating, fever and chills, and skin rash may indicate other medical issues but are not specific signs of respiratory distress. They can be related to infections or systemic responses, but they do not directly reflect the state of breathing efficiency or respiratory function.