Which of the following would NOT be a symptom of dyspnea?

Dyspnea refers to the sensation of difficult or labored breathing and is characterized by various symptoms that pertain directly to respiratory distress. The correct answer is excessive thirst, as it does not relate to breathing difficulties.

Shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing are all associated with respiratory issues. Shortness of breath is the primary symptom of dyspnea itself, directly indicating the experience of difficulty in breathing. Coughing can occur as a reflex to clear airways or in response to irritation in the respiratory tract, and wheezing is a high-pitched sound made while breathing, often due to narrowed air passages. These three symptoms stem from underlying conditions that affect airflow and respiration, thus directly corresponding to the concept of dyspnea.

In contrast, excessive thirst is not indicative of respiratory distress and does not connect with the physiological mechanisms involved in dyspnea, which is why it stands out as the correct choice for this question.