Assessment and nursing care of the patient with dyspnoea Breathlessness is a subjective experience, which has been described as an unpleasant or uncomfortable awareness of breathing, or of the need to breathe (Gift, 1990). Patients experiencing breathlessness are often described as being dyspnoeic, or having dyspnoea. This is derived from the Greek word, which, when translated, means 'difficulty in breathing' Breathlessness is a subjective experience, which has been described as an unpleasant or uncomfortable awareness of breathing, or of the need to breathe (Gift, 1990). Patients experiencing breathlessness are often described as being dyspnoeic, or having dyspnoea. This is derived from the Greek word, which, when translated, means 'difficulty in breathing' Patients describe dyspnoea in a number of ways; for example: - 'Like suffocating'; - Tightening feeling of fear in your chest and mind'; - 'Going to take your last breath'; - 'Feels like I am not going to breathe again'; - 'Could not get enough air in'. Causes of dyspnoea include (Fig 1): - Airway difficulties (obstruction, restriction); - Cardiac problems (ischaemia, failure); - Biochemical factors (anaemia or hypoxaemia); - Psychological factors (anxiety, panic attacks). Acute causes of dyspnoea include asthma, myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. Dyspnoea may also be associated with chronic illness; for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, heart failure and obesity. Acute and chronic dyspnoea can lead to life-threatening situations. Once the underlying cause of the dyspnoea is diagnosed it may be possible to treat, reduce and alleviate it, but many patients have to