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Dyspnea identifies
the patient’s level of shortness of breath. To
correctly and consistently identify a patient’s
level of dyspnea, MO490 recommends that patients be
assessed in a way that is compatible with their
abilities. For example, the chair-fast patient
should be assessed for level of dyspnea while
performing ADL’s or at rest while the bed-bound
patient should be assessed while performing
demanding bed-mobility activities such as using the
bedpan or turning.
Another area of confusion involves the use of
oxygen. If the patient uses oxygen continuously,
the patient should be assessed while using the
oxygen but if the patient only uses oxygen
intermittently, the patient should be assessed
WITHOUT the use of oxygen.
Assessment strategies that may be helpful in
determining the most appropriate level of dyspnea
include:
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Observe and evaluate the
patient’s occurrence of shortness of breath as
they walk a distance of 20 feet or more.
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Engage the patient in
conversation and note whether or not the patient
must stop frequently to catch his/her breath.
If your agency
experiences a lot of hospitalizations due to a
respiratory diagnoses, consider implementing a COPD
Management Program. There are several good
intervention tools available to help you accomplish
your goal.
The goals of COPD management include:
• Prevent disease progression
• Relieve symptoms
• Improve exercise tolerance and health status
• Prevent and treat complications and exacerbations
• Reduce mortality
• Prevent or minimize side effects from treatment
• Smoking cessation
These goals can be achieved through a COPD
Management Program which includes:
• Assess and monitor disease
• Reduce risk factors
• Manage stable COPD
• Manage exacerbations
Proper and
consistent assessment of dyspnea is important in
managing a patient’s pulmonary status and providing
the right care for every patient, every time. For
additional intervention tools, visit
www.medqic.org.
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