The assessment and management of acute dyspnoea: a case study.
| Title: | The assessment and management of acute dyspnoea: a case study. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Kavanagh-Brown W; Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Emergency Department, King's College Hospital, London.; Smith D; Senior Lecturer in Advanced Practice, Nursing Department, School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London.; Bowden T; Senior Lecturer in Cardiovascular Care and Adult Nursing, Nursing Department, School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George's, University of London. |
| Source: | British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing) [Br J Nurs] 2025 Apr 03; Vol. 34 (7), pp. 386-391. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Case Reports |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: MA Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9212059 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2052-2819 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09660461 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Br J Nurs Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: London : MA Healthcare; Original Publication: London : Mark Allen Pub., c1992- |
| MeSH Terms: | Dyspnea*/diagnosis ; Dyspnea*/therapy ; Dyspnea*/etiology ; Dyspnea*/nursing ; Nursing Assessment*; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications ; Humans ; Acute Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Medical History Taking ; Physical Examination ; Male ; Emergency Service, Hospital |
| Abstract: | Dyspnoea - a broad term that describes an unpleasant awareness of one's breathing, often synonymous with breathlessness - is a presenting complaint of significant burden to emergency care. In this case study the authors reflect on the assessment and treatment of a patient presenting to the emergency department (ED) with breathlessness. The importance of effective history taking and physical examination is highlighted, and an overview of the techniques used to elicit information is provided. Appropriate investigations are discussed alongside their limitations. Differential diagnoses are considered; however, particular focus is given to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Existing treatment options, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, are critiqued, and recommendations are made for further research and future practice. Review of this article will equip advanced clinical practitioners to effectively assess, diagnose and treat patients presenting to the ED with dyspnoea. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Advanced clinical practitioners; Breathlessness; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Dyspnoea; Emergency care |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250407 Date Completed: 20250407 Latest Revision: 20250530 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| DOI: | 10.12968/bjon.2024.0455 |
| PMID: | 40192725 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Case Reports