Self Directed Learning Package - University of Queensland

125 • Self Directed Learning Package - CareworkerDyspnoeaDyspnoea is an awareness of uncomfortable breathing.It can also be called breathlessness or shortness of breath.Thinking PointHave you ever had the experience of not being ableto breathe well? Perhaps after a strenuous exercisesession? Can you imagine living with that sensationconstantly? If you have, what thoughts or feelingscome to mind?SeeRecognise and assessKey PointDyspnoea is not so much about how fast or slow,deep or shallow someone is breathing. Rather itis a subjective feeling that everyone experiencesdifferently.The Australian author Tim Winton wrote in his 2008 novel‘Breath’: 12‘It’s funny, but you never really think much about breathing,until it’s all you ever think about.’Dyspnoea• is common but under-recognised• impairs activities of daily living, limits mobility, increasesanxiety, fear and social isolation• is often associated by residents and family withimpending death• triggers panic, and panic exacerbates dyspnoea, so thepattern becomes cyclical• may be equally or even more distressing for the family.So… what can you do to help a resident with dyspnoea?Because health professionals often under-report dyspnoea theresident should be encouraged to rate the severity themselves(if able to do so).Verbal Rating ScaleAsk: ‘On a scale of zero to 10, with zero meaning nobreathlessness and 10 meaning the worst breathlessnesspossible, how much breathlessness do you have right now?’Please noteWhile dyspnoea is the term health professionals use, it is betterto refer to it as breathlessness when talking to residents orfamily members.For those residents who cannot communicate, take time toobserve their breathing rate and any resulting impact on theirmood, sleep or function.