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Correct Fan Direction for Breathlessness — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardNon-Malignant Palliative CareCorrect Fan Direction for BreathlessnessSCE Palliative Medicine

An opioid-naive patient with advanced cancer has distressing breathlessness despite treatment of reversible causes. Oxygen saturation is 95% on air. Which non-drug intervention is most appropriate to teach first?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Use facial fan airflow with upright positioning and paced breathing

For non-hypoxaemic breathlessness, oxygen is not routinely indicated. Cool facial airflow from a handheld fan, upright positioning, pursed-lip or paced breathing and anxiety-management strategies can reduce distress and improve control. Activity should be adapted rather than universally stopped, and paper-bag rebreathing is unsafe because the underlying physiology is not established.

Reference: Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines: Breathlessness: https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/scottish-palliative-care-guidelines/symptom-management/breathlessness/