Aim: The aim of this paper is to highlight evidence and key nursing practice, education, organization and policy
recommendations from the original and revised Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario Best Practice Guideline,
Nursing Care of Dyspnea: The 6th Vital Sign in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This
paper introduces the notion of dyspnea as the sixth vital sign and presents evidence from the RNAO Best Practice
Guideline and other relevant literature to support and enhance nursing care of dyspnea in clients with COPD.