Which symptom is indicative of respiratory distress in shock?

B. Shallow, irregular breathing is indicative of respiratory distress in shock because it often signifies that the body is struggling to get enough oxygen. In a state of shock, the body experiences a significant drop in blood flow, which can lead to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues. This insufficient oxygenation can cause the respiratory system to respond with shallow, and often irregular, breathing patterns as it attempts to compensate for the lack of oxygen and the presence of stress on the body.

Shallow breathing typically means that the lungs are not fully expanding, which is a sign that the body may not be able to maintain proper gas exchange. Irregular breathing patterns further indicate that the body's ability to regulate breathing is compromised, often due to stress or underlying physiological issues.

In contrast, deep regular breathing would typically indicate a stable respiratory state, normal rhythm breathing suggests that everything is functioning well, and heavy panting might be a sign of hyperventilation or panic rather than the controlled distress typically seen in shock.