Paramedic National Registry Practice

What term best describes the condition of being woken up in the night by difficulty breathing?

1. Sleep Apnea

2. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea

3. Orthopnea

4. Chronic Bronchitis

The correct answer is: Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea

The term that best describes the condition of being woken up in the night by difficulty breathing is Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea. This specific term refers to episodes of sudden difficulty breathing that occur during sleep, leading to the individual waking up gasping for air. It is commonly associated with heart failure and pulmonary issues. Sleep Apnea involves repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep but does not necessarily highlight the wakefulness during the night due to difficulty breathing. Orthopnea refers to difficulty breathing when lying flat, which can also cause discomfort at night but is distinct from the sudden nighttime awakening. Chronic Bronchitis is a long-term condition that affects airflow but does not specifically describe the acute occurrence of being awakened at night due to breathing difficulties. Thus, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea accurately captures the specific symptom of sudden nighttime breathlessness.