The nurse is performing a newborn assessment. Which symptom, if present in a newborn, would indicate respiratory distress?

Rationale: A. Shallow and irregular respirations: Shallow and irregular respirations are often normal in newborns, especially during sleep or periods of rest. These patterns alone do not indicate respiratory distress unless accompanied by other signs such as retractions or cyanosis. B. Abdominal breathing with synchronous chest movement: Normal newborns primarily use diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing with coordinated chest movement. This is expected and does not signify respiratory distress. C. Flaring of the nares: Flaring of the nares occurs when the newborn is attempting to increase airflow due to difficulty breathing. It is a classic early sign of respiratory distress and indicates that the infant is using accessory muscles to breathe, requiring prompt evaluation. D. Respiratory rate of 50 breaths/minute: A respiratory rate of 50 breaths per minute is within the normal newborn range of 30–60 breaths per minute. While it should be monitored, this rate alone does not indicate respiratory distress.