Which sign is characteristic of an acute asthma attack?

Which sign is characteristic of an acute asthma attack?

• A. Dyspnea
• B. Pallor
• C. Hematemesis
• D. Hypothyroidism

Answer: (A)

An acute asthma attack causes sudden narrowing of the airways from bronchospasm and inflammation, leading to trouble breathing. Dyspnea, or shortness of breath with labored breathing, is the hallmark sign of this emergency and reflects this acute airway obstruction. Pallor can occur in many situations and isn’t specific to asthma; hematemesis means vomiting blood and points to a GI issue; hypothyroidism is a chronic thyroid disorder and not an acute respiratory sign. So dyspnea best characterizes an acute asthma attack.

An acute asthma attack causes sudden narrowing of the airways from bronchospasm and inflammation, leading to trouble breathing. Dyspnea, or shortness of breath with labored breathing, is the hallmark sign of this emergency and reflects this acute airway obstruction. Pallor can occur in many situations and isn’t specific to asthma; hematemesis means vomiting blood and points to a GI issue; hypothyroidism is a chronic thyroid disorder and not an acute respiratory sign. So dyspnea best characterizes an acute asthma attack.