Re: Severe SOB: Is it considered pain?

[Rnlncoh]

In a message dated 2/25/04 11:41:01 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Thanks, Sherri, the physician was well aware that the morphine could hasten the patient's demise and would only order it after comfort measures had been ordered when family and patient decided on this.  As for s/sx of pain, how about restlessness and pained expressions that accompany severe respiratory distress?  I can't believe that struggling for breath is a comfortable sensation even if the patient isn't verbalizing, "I'm in pain". Sally Makes sense as a comfort measure.  I still would code for the s/sx of pain that you are describing.  I'm sure that struggling for air is at the least, uncomfortable.    Sherri