What it means
The everyday name for dyspneaDISP-nee-uhDifficult or labored breathing, or the feeling of not getting enough air.dys- difficult-pnea breathingFull entry . It is something the client feels and reports, so it can be present even when the oxygen level is normal. Nurses note when it happens (at rest, with activity, when lying flat) and how bad it is, often on a 0–10 scale.
For the nurse
Ask the client to describe it and rate it, then check respiratory rateRES-pur-uh-tor-ee RAYTThe number of breaths a person takes in one minute.Full entry , work of breathing, saturationsach-uh-RAY-shunHow full something is; in nursing, usually the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is carrying oxygen.Full entry , lung sounds and whether they can speak in full sentences. Sit the client up and report new or sudden shortness of breath right away.
In a chart
"Client reports shortness of breath walking to the bathroom; resolves with rest."
At a glance
| Abbreviations | SOB |
|---|---|
| Spanish | falta de aire, dificultad para respirar |
| Also written | SOB, short of breath, breathlessness |
Related terms
dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing, or the feeling of not getting enough air.
orthopnea
Difficulty breathing when lying flat that eases when sitting or standing up.
pulse oximetry
A painless test that uses light through a finger, toe or earlobe to estimate how much oxygen the blood is carrying.
respiratory rate
The number of breaths a person takes in one minute.