What indicates that a patient is experiencing respiratory impairment from drowning?

A patient experiencing respiratory impairment from drowning often presents with specific respiratory symptoms, one of which includes crackles heard on lung auscultation. These crackles, or abnormal lung sounds, typically indicate fluid in the lungs, which is a common consequence of near-drowning situations where water enters the airways and alveoli, impairing gas exchange and leading to respiratory distress.

The presence of crackles suggests that the lungs are compromised, which can lead to serious complications such as hypoxia, potential pulmonary edema, and other respiratory issues requiring immediate medical attention. This clinical sign is critical for EMTs when assessing a patient who may have experienced drowning, as it helps inform the need for urgent intervention and treatment.

Other factors like increased heart rate may be present, reflecting the body's stress response, and an unresponsive state before rescue indicates grave circumstances but does not specifically point to respiratory impairment. High blood pressure is less commonly associated with direct respiratory issues from drowning and could vary based on many other factors.