North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam 2026 - Free EMT Practice Questions and Study Guide

Orthopnea is a medical condition characterized by difficulty breathing when lying flat. As a result, the primary concern for a patient experiencing orthopnea is indeed the difficulty they face in maintaining a supine position without experiencing breathing difficulties. This often indicates that the patient's respiratory status is compromised, which can be particularly concerning for conditions like congestive heart failure or pulmonary issues.

When patients cannot lie flat without worsening their shortness of breath, it signifies that they may need to sleep in a more upright position to alleviate their symptoms. This difficulty can impact their overall quality of sleep and contribute to further complications if not appropriately managed.

Other options, while potentially relevant to different patient scenarios, do not capture the central issue of orthopnea itself.