OASIS · Section M
M1400 — Dyspnea
Response options, how to score it, and the error that most often sends the record back. Cited to Ch. 3, Item M1400.
Response options
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Patient is not short of breath |
| 1 | When walking more than 20 feet, climbing stairs |
| 2 | With moderate exertion (for example, while dressing, using commode or bedpan, walking distances less than 20 feet) |
| 3 | With minimal exertion (for example, while eating, talking, or performing other ADLs) or with agitation |
| 4 | At rest (during day or night) |
How to score it
Base the code on physical assessment/observation plus patient or caregiver interview. A patient who uses oxygen continuously (all day, only brief interruptions) is scored WITH oxygen in place; a patient who uses it intermittently is scored WITHOUT oxygen — either way, code the patient's actual pattern of use, not the physician's oxygen order. For a chairfast or bedbound patient, evaluate the exertion level of demanding bed-mobility or transfer activities rather than walking. Dash is not a valid response for this item.
The common error
Scoring dyspnea based on the physician's oxygen order rather than how the patient actually uses oxygen day to day — an order for continuous oxygen that the patient only wears intermittently should still be scored on the patient's real, intermittent use pattern.
CMS Q&As on this item
- Q113.1 What is the correct response for the patient who is only short of breath when supine and requires the use of…
- Q113.2 What is the correct response to M1400 - Dyspnea, if a patient uses a CPAP or BiPAP machine during sleep as…
- Q113.3 Patient currently sleeps in the recliner or currently sleeps with 2 pillows to keep from being short of…
- Q113.4 In regards to M1400, Dyspnea, can you explain what is meant by the phrase “performing other ADLs” in Response…
- Q114.5 M1400, O0110. Is there a definition for continuous oxygen use for M1400 Dyspnea? Does the definition for…
Source: OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual — Ch. 3, Item M1400. Verified 2026-04-26.
Nearby Section M items
- M1311Current Number of Unhealed Pressure Ulcers/Injuries at Each Stage
- M1322Current Number of Stage 1 Pressure Injuries
- M1324Stage of Most Problematic Unhealed Pressure Ulcer/Injury that is Stageable
- M1330Does This Patient Have a Stasis Ulcer?
- M1340Does This Patient Have a Surgical Wound?
- M1342Status of Most Problematic Surgical Wound that is Observable
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