Which condition is described as inflamed airways, swelling, and reversible obstruction, with possible difficulty expiring?

• A. Asthma
• B. Pneumonia
• C. COPD
• D. Bronchitis

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is airway inflammation that causes reversible obstructive airflow limitation, which is characteristic of asthma. In asthma, the airways become hyperresponsive and inflamed, with swelling of the airway walls and increased mucus production. This narrows the airways and makes breathing difficult, especially during episodes, often causing wheeze, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Importantly, the obstruction tends to be reversible—improving with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory treatment, and often returning to normal between episodes. Difficulty expiring comes from the narrowed small airways during expiration, which slows and prolongs exhalation and can produce wheezing as air is forced through constricted passages.

Pneumonia involves infection with alveolar filling and typically presents with fever, productive cough, and chest symptoms not primarily defined by reversible airway obstruction. COPD features chronic, usually irreversible obstruction with a progressive course, not the pattern of reversible episodes. Bronchitis describes bronchial inflammation and coughing but does not inherently define reversible airway obstruction in the episodic way asthma does.