A nurse is providing care for a patient who complains of difficulty breathing. Which assessment will best help the nurse determine the severity of the patient's dyspnea?
a. Count the patient's respiratory rate.
b. Ask the patient to describe the dyspnea.
c. Have the patient rate the dyspnea on a 0-to-10 scale.
d. Observe the patient throughout two to three respirations.
ANS: C
Dyspnea or shortness of breath is subjective and can best be described using a 0-to-10 scale. A. B. D. Describing it, observing the patient, and respiratory rate all provide good information but do not quantify severity like a rating scale does.
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