How should a nurse respond to a patient experiencing shortness of breath?

When a patient is experiencing shortness of breath, it is crucial to provide immediate and appropriate interventions to ensure their safety and comfort. Raising the head of the bed helps to facilitate easier breathing by reducing the pressure on the diaphragm and increasing lung expansion. This position allows gravity to aid in the efficiency of respiratory mechanics, which can alleviate some of the discomfort associated with dyspnea.

Monitoring the patient closely is also an important aspect of care in this situation. It allows the nurse to observe any changes in the patient's condition and respond quickly if the situation worsens. This combined approach of positioning the patient and closely monitoring their vital signs and respiratory status is essential in managing shortness of breath effectively.

While other actions like encouraging relaxation and deep breathing or assessing blood pressure may be necessary, they do not address the immediate need to assist with the breathing difficulty. Providing a magazine, for example, would be inappropriate given the patient's current distress and the need for focused interventions to ease their discomfort.