Overview

4.8 out of 5 (41 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

8

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

13 Dec 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6280 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7490 hours of CE.

Single Activity

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6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

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$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user
 
Need Help?  If you have a system or content concerns, please contact support@statpearls.com

Activity Description

Dyspnea is a subjective respiratory sensation characterized by insufficient air intake arising from complex physiologic, psychological, social, and environmental interactions. Acute presentations occur in pulmonary embolism, asthma exacerbation, pneumonia, or heart failure, whereas chronic manifestations develop in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, obesity, or neuromuscular weakness. The symptom may appear as air hunger, chest constriction, tachypnea, or increased respiratory effort, often restricting activity and diminishing functional capacity. Dyspnea is a clinical manifestation rather than a discrete disease entity.

A structured, interprofessional evaluation grounded in detailed history, comprehensive physical examination, and condition-specific diagnostic studies—such as chest radiography, computed tomography, electrocardiography, complete blood count, arterial blood gas analysis, pulse oximetry, pulmonary function testing, or echocardiography—supports accurate identification of underlying pathology. Recognition of immediately life-threatening etiologies, including tension pneumothorax, acute airway obstruction, acute myocardial infarction, or massive pulmonary embolism, is essential. Evidence-based interventions targeted to the precipitating disorder, optimization of comorbid conditions, and ongoing reassessment improve clinical outcomes and reduce morbidity.

This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in the evaluation and management of dyspnea by improving diagnostic accuracy, differentiating among cardiac, pulmonary, and nonorganic causes, and applying evidence-based treatment strategies. Learners will strengthen their ability to interpret clinical findings, implement appropriate diagnostic pathways, and coordinate interprofessional care. Participants will also gain a clearer understanding of the prognostic significance of dyspnea across disease states, approaches that support patient-centered management, and communication methods that aid individuals experiencing this clinically significant symptom.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Determine the etiologic factors contributing to acute and chronic dyspnea to optimize patient care.

  • Apply guideline-directed therapies to manage dyspnea across acute and chronic settings, ensuring appropriate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions.

  • Improve patient understanding of how early recognition of symptoms and compliance with therapy reduce complications.

  • Coordinate ongoing care and follow-up for patients with chronic dyspnea, integrating disease management, patient education, and supportive therapies across care settings.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Frank T. on 3/5/2021

Alec W. on 6/19/2021

Paul F. on 6/30/2021

Yvanne B. on 11/11/2021

Maura B. on 12/2/2021

Anne W. on 12/4/2021

Kelly S. on 12/7/2021

Erika G. on 12/31/2021

Scott S. on 3/3/2022

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tanya r. on 4/13/2022

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long h. on 12/23/2022

richard b. on 1/31/2023

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Scott S. on 11/2/2023

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David C. on 12/31/2023

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OLUWATOYIN A. on 1/15/2026

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Kristen M. on 2/3/2026

Sharafiya P. on 6/15/2026

Jane W. on 7/20/2026

Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6280 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7490 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$25 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user