RDAI bronchiolitis score calculator
Use the RDAI bronchiolitis score calculator to assess bronchiolitis respiratory distress from wheeze and retractions across the standard Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument exam items.
Last reviewed: February 26, 2026
Clinical disclaimer
RDAI bronchiolitis score quick read
- The RDAI bronchiolitis score measures wheeze and retractions on the 0-17 Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument scale.
- Use the RDAI bronchiolitis score when your pathway wants a wheeze-and-retractions trend without respiratory rate or general condition.
- Use the Wang score bronchiolitis calculator when you need respiratory rate and general condition included in the severity snapshot.
- Trend serial scores over time. Local bronchiolitis pathways still decide escalation thresholds.
Wheeze
Score: 0
Score: 0
Score: 0
Retractions
Score: 0
Score: 0
Score: 0
How the RDAI bronchiolitis score works
RDAI scores wheeze (0-8 points) and retractions (0-9 points) for a total score of 0-17. Higher scores indicate more respiratory distress.
- Wheeze scoring includes expiration, inspiration, and location.
- Retractions are scored at supraclavicular, intercostal, and subcostal sites.
- Use the same exam technique at repeat assessments to track trends.
RDAI bronchiolitis score criteria
- Expiration: none (0), end expiratory (1), half (2), three-quarters (3), entire expiration (4).
- Inspiration: none (0), partial (1), entire inspiration (2).
- Location: none (0), segmental <2 of 4 lung fields (1), diffuse >3 of 4 lung fields (2).
- Retractions: none (0), mild (1), moderate (2), marked (3) at each site.
How to interpret the RDAI bronchiolitis score
- Higher scores reflect greater work of breathing and wheeze burden.
- The RDAI bronchiolitis score does not include respiratory rate or general condition.
- If your team wants those domains included, use the Wang score bronchiolitis calculator.
- No universal cutoffs exist; follow institutional bronchiolitis pathways for thresholds.
- Trend scores over time to assess response to supportive care.
RDAI bronchiolitis reassessment cadence
- After suctioning, hydration support, or oxygen change: repeat score in the same care block.
- If stable and improving: continue interval scoring per bronchiolitis pathway.
- If worsening work of breathing, apnea concern, or feeding decline: immediate repeat scoring and escalation.
RDAI bronchiolitis escalation triggers
- Apnea episodes, cyanosis, or persistent hypoxemia despite support.
- Rising distress with fatigue, poor feeding, or declining interaction.
- High-risk infant context (prematurity, chronic cardiopulmonary disease, very young age) with worsening trajectory.
- Clinical deterioration despite apparently small numeric change in score.
RDAI bronchiolitis shift handoff checklist
- Current total and component findings for wheeze and retractions.
- Interventions delivered and timing relative to latest score.
- Trend from prior scores and bedside trajectory.
- Next reassessment interval and explicit escalation threshold.
RDAI vs Wang score
RDAI is the narrower bronchiolitis score: it follows wheeze and retractions on the 0-17 Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument scale. The Wang score adds respiratory rate and general condition, so it can be a better fit for quick severity snapshots.
If the clinical question is “how much wheeze and retraction burden is changing,” use RDAI. If the clinical question is “how severe does this infant look right now,” compare with the Wang score bronchiolitis calculator.
Related bronchiolitis and respiratory tools
References
Frequently asked questions
The Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (RDAI) is a clinical score used to quantify bronchiolitis severity based on wheeze and retractions.
The standard RDAI score range is 0-17 points: up to 8 points for wheeze and up to 9 points for retractions.
No. The classic RDAI focuses on wheeze and retractions. Some modified versions add respiratory rate, but this calculator uses the standard RDAI.
RDAI uses only wheeze and retractions (0-17). The Wang score also includes respiratory rate and general condition (0-12).
Use RDAI when your pathway or study workflow specifically wants a wheeze-and-retractions-only bronchiolitis score. If you want respiratory rate and general condition included, the Wang score is usually the better fit.
No. RDAI is primarily used to trend changes over time. Use local pathways for escalation thresholds.
Document component findings, intervention timing, and score trajectory over time. Serial context is more informative than a single value for disposition decisions.