Question

The night shift nurse is listening to report and hears that a patient has paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. What does the nurse plan to do next?

a. Instruct the patient to sleep in a side-lying position and then check on the patient every 2 hours to help with switching sides.
b. Make the patient comfortable in a bedside recliner with several pillows to keep the patient more upright throughout the night.
c. Check on the patient several hours after bedtime and assist the patient to sit upright and dangle the feet when dyspnea occurs.
d. Check the patient frequently because the patient has insomnia due to a fear of suffocation

Answer 1

A nurse should make a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea comfortable in a bedside recliner with pillows to stay more upright, accommodating easier breathing and relieving symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a night shift nurse learns that a patient has paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), which is a condition characterized by sudden episodes of shortness of breath during sleep, the nurse should plan to make the patient comfortable in a position that eases breathing.

The best option is to make the patient comfortable in a bedside recliner with several pillows to keep the patient more upright throughout the night. This position helps to relieve the symptoms by reducing the pressure on the heart and lungs when lying flat, which can worsen dyspnea in patients with heart failure or other conditions.

It is also important for the nurse to check on the patient as needed, especially if symptoms worsen. PND is often a sign of an underlying condition such as heart failure or sleep apnea, which may require additional interventions such as oxygen therapy or the use of a CPAP machine during sleep to maintain open airways and adequate oxygenation.