Ineffective breathing pattern related to airflow limitation

Patients with chronic airflow limitation tend to breathe with rapid shallow respirations, but the precise relationship between airflow limitation and these changes in breathing pattern is not clear. Furthermore, as airflow limitation increases, patients experience increasing dyspnea and deterioration of breathing patterns. This ultimately leads to a decline in activity tolerance. Hence, the majority of nursing interventions are directed toward reducing dyspnea and improving breathing patterns. As was pointed out, there is a limited body of knowledge on which to base clinical decisions and interventions; hence further research is needed in this area.