Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

A patient sleeps with multiple pillows to breathe easier. What symptom does this indicate?

1. Dyspnea

2. Orthopnea

3. Apnea

4. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

The correct answer is: Orthopnea

The choice of orthopnea is supported by the fact that the patient uses multiple pillows to sleep more comfortably and breathe easier. Orthopnea refers to difficulty breathing that occurs specifically when lying flat. Patients often find relief by propping themselves up with pillows or sitting upright. This symptom is frequently associated with conditions such as heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where lying flat can exacerbate shortness of breath due to fluid accumulation or decreased lung capacity. In contrast, dyspnea generally refers to a broader sense of difficulty in breathing that can occur in various positions. Apnea is characterized by temporary cessation of breathing, often during sleep, which does not relate to the position of the body. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea entails sudden episodes of breathlessness during sleep, usually leading the patient to awaken and sit upright. While similar to orthopnea, it specifically describes the episodic nature rather than the positional aspect of breathing difficulty.