Which term means difficult or labored breathing?

• A. Tachypnea
• B. Bradypnea
• C. Apnea
• D. Dyspnea

Answer: (D)

Difficult or labored breathing is described as dyspnea. It denotes the patient’s subjective sensation of breathlessness or struggle with breathing, which can occur with various conditions affecting the lungs, heart, or circulation. The other terms describe different aspects of breathing: tachypnea is rapid breathing, bradypnea is slow breathing, and apnea is a temporary or complete absence of breathing. So dyspnea best fits the description of breathing being difficult or labored.