National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) Practice Exam

A teenager presents with wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath after exercising. What is the primary cause of these symptoms?

1. Airway Edema

2. Mucus production

3. Airway inflammation

4. Bronchospasm

The correct answer is: Bronchospasm

The primary cause of the symptoms presented by the teenager—wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath after exercising—is bronchospasm. This condition occurs when the muscles surrounding the airways tighten and narrow, making it more difficult to breathe. In exercise-induced bronchospasm, intense physical activity can trigger this tightening as a response to increased airflow demands, often in individuals with underlying asthma. When a person exercises, they may breathe faster and deeper, and if they breathe in cold or dry air, it may irritate the airways, leading to bronchospasm. This results in the characteristic wheezing and difficulty in breathing, especially during or right after exercise. While airway edema, mucus production, and airway inflammation can all contribute to asthma symptoms, bronchospasm is the immediate reaction that leads to the acute distress felt during episodes triggered by exercise. Recognizing bronchospasm as the primary cause allows for targeted interventions, such as the use of bronchodilators that relieve bronchoconstriction and improve airflow.