What does dyspnea mean?

• A. Shortness of breath.
• B. Chest pain
• C. Dizziness
• D. Fatigue

Answer: (A)

Dyspnea is the medical term for shortness of breath. It describes the subjective feeling of breathing difficulty or discomfort that a person reports, not something measured by a test. It can occur with exertion or at rest and may result from various conditions affecting the lungs, heart, blood, or even anxiety. Understanding this term helps you recognize and document a patient’s breathing symptoms accurately. Other symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or fatigue refer to different experiences and are not the definition of dyspnea.