Which term describes a form of dyspnea relieved by standing or sitting erect?

Which term describes a form of dyspnea relieved by standing or sitting erect?

• A. Pulse deficit
• B. Hypertension
• C. Febrile
• D. Orthopnea

Answer: (D)

Posture can directly affect breathlessness in certain heart conditions. When shortness of breath is relieved by sitting up or standing erect, this pattern is called orthopnea. It often points to fluid overload from left-sided heart failure: lying flat increases venous return and pulmonary congestion, making breathing harder. Sitting up or standing reduces venous return and allows the chest to expand more effectively, easing dyspnea. This is commonly seen in heart failure, and clinicians may note how many pillows a patient uses to sleep as a rough gauge of severity. The other terms don’t describe positional relief of dyspnea—pulse deficit is a mismatch between pulse and heartbeat, hypertension is high blood pressure, and febrile means fever.

Posture can directly affect breathlessness in certain heart conditions. When shortness of breath is relieved by sitting up or standing erect, this pattern is called orthopnea. It often points to fluid overload from left-sided heart failure: lying flat increases venous return and pulmonary congestion, making breathing harder. Sitting up or standing reduces venous return and allows the chest to expand more effectively, easing dyspnea. This is commonly seen in heart failure, and clinicians may note how many pillows a patient uses to sleep as a rough gauge of severity. The other terms don’t describe positional relief of dyspnea—pulse deficit is a mismatch between pulse and heartbeat, hypertension is high blood pressure, and febrile means fever.