The medical term used to describe shortness of breath is

• A. Tachypnea
• B. Dyspnea
• C. Hyperpnea
• D. Apnea

Answer: (B)

Dyspnea describes the subjective feeling of breathing difficulty or shortness of breath. It’s a symptom the patient reports, not a measurement like rate or depth. Tachypnea means rapid breathing, hyperpnea means increased depth of breathing, and apnea is the absence of breathing. In the field, when a patient experiences dyspnea, you assess airway and breathing, check oxygen saturation, observe for signs of distress, and provide appropriate interventions such as oxygen therapy or assisted ventilation as needed, then transport for further evaluation.