Question

A 58-year-old teacher presents with breathlessness with activity. The client has no chronic conditions and does not take any medications, herbs, or supplements. Which of the following symptoms is appropriate to ask about in the cardiovascular review of systems?

Answer 1

Answer is Orthopnea.

Orthopnea is the sensation of breathlessness in the recumbent position, relieved by sitting or standing.

Two uncommon types of breathlessness are trepopnea and platypnea. Trepopnea is dyspnea that occurs in one lateral decubitus position as opposed to the other. Platypnea refers to breathlessness that occurs in the upright position and is relieved with recumbency.