In an attempt to better understand the psychological aspect of dyspnea, a number of studies have investigated the
relationship between anxiety and levels of dyspnea . Indeed, patient descriptors of breathlessness vary depending on
the intensity of the dyspnea experienc . Often the presenting symptom of acute dyspnea is anxiety . Nurses may
focus on anxiety to the exclusion of dyspnea and associated physiological changes rather than recognizing anxiety as an
important and initial sign of invisible dyspnea for individuals with acute respiratory distress