Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What would you suspect if a 20-year-old female presents with acute respiratory distress and expiratory wheezing?

1. Pneumonia

2. Chronic bronchitis

3. An acute asthma attack

4. Acute bronchospasm

The correct answer is: An acute asthma attack

In this scenario, the presence of acute respiratory distress accompanied by expiratory wheezing strongly suggests an acute asthma attack. Asthma is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing, especially during exhalation. The wheezing sound indicates that airflow is obstructed, which is a hallmark of asthma exacerbations. In a young adult, such as a 20-year-old female, asthma attacks can be triggered by various factors like allergens, exercise, or respiratory infections. The acute nature of the distress points towards an exacerbation, further supporting the diagnosis. While conditions like pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and acute bronchospasm can also cause respiratory distress and wheezing, they typically present with different clinical features. For instance, pneumonia often accompanies signs of infection such as fever and productive cough, while chronic bronchitis usually presents with productive cough over a long period and may not lead to acute wheezing unless infected. Acute bronchospasm can occur in asthma but does not encompass the full clinical picture as effectively as an acute asthma attack does in this case.