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Retractions of the chest muscles
This is an emergency, requiring immediate medical attention.
Seek immediate medical attention if intercostal retractions occur. This can be a sign of airway obstruction, which can quickly become life threatening.
Also seek medical care if the skin, lips, or nailbeds turn blue, or if the person becomes confused, drowsy, or is hard to wake up.
In emergency situations, the health care team will first take steps to help the patient breathe. This may include oxygen, medicines to reduce swelling, and other treatments.
When the person is stable, the health care provider will perform a physical exam to determine the cause of the airway obstruction. Questions will be asked about the symptoms and the person's medical history, including:
Diagnostic tests may include: