Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

To assess the severity of nocturnal dyspnea in chronic respiratory diseases, what should you determine?

1. The patient’s exercise tolerance during the day

2. How many pillows the patient sleeps with at night

3. History of smoking

4. Frequency of daytime breathing difficulties

The correct answer is: How many pillows the patient sleeps with at night

Determining how many pillows the patient sleeps with at night provides valuable insight into the severity of their nocturnal dyspnea, particularly in chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, or congestive heart failure. Patients often use multiple pillows to elevate their heads and upper bodies to alleviate breathing difficulties that occur when lying flat. This compensatory action is indicative of the level of respiratory distress experienced at night, and a higher number of pillows usually suggests more significant dyspnea and potential underlying pathology. Other choices may provide helpful background information or relate to different aspects of the patient's respiratory health, but they do not directly assess nocturnal dyspnea as effectively as the position of pillows during sleep does. For instance, exercise tolerance during the day can indicate overall lung function, but it does not specifically reflect nocturnal symptoms. A history of smoking is important for understanding risk factors and potential lung damage but does not quantify nocturnal dyspnea severity. Similarly, frequency of daytime breathing difficulties is relevant but does not directly address symptoms experienced during sleep, which is critical for assessing nocturnal dyspnea.