NREMT Paramedic Practice

A diagnosis of asthma is characterized by which of the following symptoms?

1. Recurrent wheezing

2. Drooling

3. Painful swallowing

4. Rattling stridor

The correct answer is: Recurrent wheezing

A diagnosis of asthma is primarily characterized by recurrent wheezing due to the narrowing of the airways that occurs during an asthma attack. Wheezing is a high-pitched sound produced during breathing, particularly during exhalation, and it results from the turbulent airflow through constricted bronchi. This symptom often indicates the presence of bronchospasm, inflammation, and increased mucus production associated with asthma. The other symptoms listed do not typically align with the classic presentation of asthma. For instance, drooling is more commonly associated with conditions that affect swallowing or airway obstruction rather than asthma itself. Painful swallowing is indicative of an esophageal issue or throat infection, which are not related to asthma. Rattling stridor, a sound often associated with upper airway obstruction, is different from the wheezing seen in asthma and points more towards conditions like croup or laryngitis. Understanding these distinctions helps in recognizing asthma's unique presentation in clinical assessments.