CCRN Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Guide for Test Prep

The use of accessory muscles for breathing is a common sign of critical illness in patients experiencing respiratory failure. When a patient’s primary respiratory muscles, such as the diaphragm, are insufficient to meet the body's oxygen demands, they often engage additional muscles located in the neck, shoulders, and abdomen to assist with breathing. This physiological response indicates increased work of breathing and is a clear sign that the patient is struggling to maintain adequate ventilation and oxygenation.

In the context of respiratory failure, this compensatory mechanism can be accompanied by other clinical signs such as tachypnea, altered mental status due to hypoxia, and an increased effort to breathe, which further underscores the severity of the patient's condition. This is in contrast to normal findings where patients would rely solely on their diaphragm for breathing. The engagement of these accessory muscle groups is an important observation for critical care nurses as it can prompt urgent assessment and intervention to address the underlying cause of respiratory distress.