Which term means shortness of breath or labored breathing?

• A. Angina
• B. Dyspnea
• C. SpO2
• D. Diaphoresis

Answer: (B)

Shortness of breath or labored breathing is described as dyspnea. This term captures the patient’s subjective experience of breathing discomfort, which can vary from mild to severe and may occur at rest or with activity. It’s a common finding in respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD and in cardiac issues such as heart failure or pulmonary edema, making it a critical symptom to recognize in rehabilitation settings. By contrast, SpO2 is an objective oxygen saturation reading from a pulse oximeter, not how the patient feels. Angina refers to chest pain due to myocardial ischemia, and diaphoresis means sweating, which can accompany various conditions but does not describe breathing difficulty. So the word that specifically means shortness of breath or labored breathing is dyspnea.