A nurse is providing care for a patient who complains of difficulty breathing. Which of the following assessments will best help the nurse determine the severity of the patient's dyspnea?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Observing the patient's breathing patterns can provide the nurse with important information about the severity of the dyspnea, such as the use of accessory muscles, the presence of retractions, and the rate and depth of respirations. Asking the patient to describe the dyspnea or rate it on a scale can be subjective and may not accurately reflect the severity. Counting the respiratory rate can provide information about the patient's breathing but may not give a complete picture of the severity of dyspnea.

A Nurse Is Providing Care for a Patient Who Complains