The following case involves a healthy, 75-year-old woman who presented with the symptom
of breathlessness. Research has shown that patients’ descriptions of their symptom
of breathlessness can provide diagnostic clues.
1
The two general categories of dyspnea causation are pulmonary and cardiovascular.
Less common pathologies causing the symptom of breathlessness include psychiatric,
gastrointestinal, and neuromuscular disorders.
2
Patients who describe breathlessness as not getting enough air may have heart failure
(HF), whereas patients who describe chest tightness may have a pulmonary etiology.
The experience of dyspnea derives from interactions among multiple physiologic, psychological,
social, and environmental factors and may induce secondary physiologic and behavioral
responses. Providers must determine whether the symptom of breathlessness is of pulmonary
origin or a symptom secondary to an alteration of another body system. Prioritization
of treatment of breathlessness requires astute clinical knowledge of differential
etiologies that can cause a sensation of inability to breathe.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Biography
All authors are affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD. Roseann Velez, DNP, FNP, is an instructor. She can be reached at .
Biography
Mary K. Donnelly, DNP, ANP, is an instructor.
Biography
Krysia Hudson, DNP, RN, is a clinical instructor.
Biography
Elizabeth Sloand, PhD, FAAN, is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Acute and Chronic Care.
Article info
Footnotes
In compliance with national ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
