A 23-year-old patient enters the emergency room complaining of dyspnea

The RT places the patient on oxygen as per hospital protocol and begins to interview the patient about her symptoms. She states that she is having difficulty taking a breath with chest tightness. Patient has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min with a loose productive cough. During ausculta-tion, the RT hears bilateral wheezing in the lungs. What is the most likely cause of the patient's symptoms?
a. Asthma
b. Bronchitis
c. Congestive heart failure
d. Emphysema

ANS: A
A patient with asthma would suffer from dyspnea caused by the airway obstruction. Usually a patient with asthma will complain of chest tightness and difficulty to take a breath. Bilateral wheezing and a loose, productive cough are also signs of an asthma attack.