What is the common respiratory issue characterized by a feeling of breathlessness?

• A. Bradycardia
• B. Asthma
• C. Dyspnea
• D. Hypoxia

Answer: (C)

The condition characterized by a feeling of breathlessness is dyspnea. Dyspnea refers specifically to the subjective experience of difficulty or discomfort in breathing, which can manifest as shortness of breath. This symptom can arise from various underlying causes, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and even anxiety.

In contrast, bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate and is not directly related to the experience of breathlessness. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that can cause episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing, but the key term in the question relates specifically to the sensation of breathlessness, which is better captured by the term dyspnea. Hypoxia indicates a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, which can indeed lead to feelings of breathlessness, but it is focused more on the oxygen saturation level rather than the direct experience of breathlessness itself. Thus, dyspnea is the most precise term to describe this common respiratory issue.