How to assess breathing?

Following a severe trauma, it is important to assess breathing. In the presence or absence of respiratory movements, the rib cage must be observed, and it must be checked that it lowers and rises with regularity and rhythm.
Very shallow breathing with short and rapid chest movements may indicate injuries that cause pain in the respiratory system, while excessive involvement of the abdominal muscles during respiratory acts may indicate diaphragmatic hernia or pulmonary fluid spillage.