ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7English and Language UsageMedium
A medical student is presenting a case study and refers to a patient's breathing as 'dyspneic.' Which of the following best describes the patient's condition?
- AThe patient is experiencing difficulty breathing.
- BThe patient's breathing is abnormally slow.
- CThe patient's breathing is abnormally fast.
- DThe patient has a normal respiratory rate.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The patient is experiencing difficulty breathing.
Dyspnea is a medical term for shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. The prefix 'dys-' means difficult or painful, and '-pnea' refers to breathing.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Abnormally slow breathing is bradypnea.
- C. Abnormally fast breathing is tachypnea.
- D. Normal respiratory rate is eupnea.
Dyspnea
A medical term for the sensation of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Subjective experience reported by patient
- Can be acute or chronic
- Symptom of various underlying conditions (cardiac, pulmonary, etc.)
- Often accompanied by visible signs of respiratory distress
Memory trick: Breathing terms: 'pnea' means air, the prefixes tell the tale.