A 65-year-old patient with a history of heart failure comes to the clinic with complaints of "being awakened from sleep with shortness of breath." Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Obtaining a detailed health history of the patient's allergies and a history of asthma
b. Telling the patient to sleep on his or her right side to facilitate ease of respirations
c. Assessing for other signs and symptoms of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
d. Assuring the patient that paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is normal and will probably resolve within the next week
ANS: C
The patient is experiencing paroxysmal nocturnal dyspneaâ€"being awakened from sleep with shortness of breath and the need to be upright to achieve comfort.
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