While ambulating the hall, the client begins to complain of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Which term should be documented in the client's medical record?

A. Tachypnea refers to an increased respiratory rate. It is used when a client is breathing faster than normal. While tachypnea could be associated with difficulty breathing, it specifically denotes a faster- than-normal rate of breathing, not the sensation of breathlessness or difficulty. B. Bradypnea is the term used for a slower-than-normal respiratory rate. If a client’s breathing rate is slower than usual, bradypnea would be the appropriate term. However, this term does not describe the sensation of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. C. Eupnea is the term for normal, unlabored breathing. This term is used when the client’s breathing is neither too fast nor too slow and is comfortable. It does not apply to the situation described, where the client is experiencing difficulty breathing. D. Dyspnea refers to the sensation of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. It is the term used to describe the subjective experience of feeling like one cannot get enough air or is having trouble breathing.