A 69-year-old man with end-stage heart failure is admitted with increasing breathlessness at rest. He is on maximal disease-modifying therapy and is n...

Question

A 69-year-old man with end-stage heart failure is admitted with increasing breathlessness at rest. He is on maximal disease-modifying therapy and is not for further invasive procedures. He is distressed by dyspnoea despite oxygen. What is the most appropriate pharmacological option for symptomatic relief?

Accepted Answer

Low-dose oral or subcutaneous Morphine

Answer

High-dose benzodiazepines alone

Answer

High-dose IV Furosemide only

Answer

Nebulised Salbutamol only

Answer

No active treatment; reassure only

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Breathlessness in advanced disease