Question

A patient comes into your clinic and is having difficulty breathing unless they are in an upright position. Which of the following is the proper medical term for this condition?

A) Bradypnea
B) Orthopnea
C) Tachypnea
D) Dyspnea

Answer 1

The correct term for difficulty breathing unless upright is Orthopnea (option B), which is often associated with heart failure or lung conditions like COPD.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proper medical term for a condition where a patient has difficulty breathing unless they are in an upright position is B) Orthopnea. Orthopnea is a symptom often associated with conditions like heart failure or lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This respiratory symptom contrasts with terms such as Bradypnea (abnormally slow breathing), Tachypnea (abnormally rapid breathing), and Dyspnea (general difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath not necessarily related to body position).


In COPD, there is a breakdown of connective tissues, reducing the number and elasticity of alveoli, leading to symptoms including chronic poor airflow and various forms of respiratory distress.