A client experiencing paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is likely suffering from which condition?

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is a symptom characterized by sudden shortness of breath that occurs during sleep, typically waking the individual from sleep. This condition is most commonly associated with left-sided heart failure, which occurs when the left ventricle is unable to effectively pump blood out to the body, leading to a backup of fluid in the lungs.

In left-sided heart failure, elevated pressures in the pulmonary circulation can cause fluid to leak from the blood vessels into the lung tissue. This results in pulmonary congestion, making it difficult for the person to breathe properly while lying down, ultimately triggering episodes of dyspnea that awaken them from sleep. This phenomenon highlights the critical links between heart function and respiratory symptoms.

Other conditions mentioned, such as right-sided heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypotension, do not typically present with the specific symptom of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea as prominently as left-sided heart failure does.