Which sign is commonly observed during an acute asthma attack?

• A. Productive cough
• B. Wheezing on exhalation
• C. JVD
• D. Absent breath sounds

Answer: (B)

During an acute asthma attack the airways are inflamed and constricted, so air has to squeeze through narrowed bronchioles. That turbulent flow, especially as air is pushed out during expiration, creates a high-pitched wheeze that is most commonly heard with exhalation. This expiratory wheeze is a classic sign of bronchospasm and airway obstruction in asthma.

Other signs mentioned don’t fit as well. A productive cough is more typical of infections or bronchitis rather than the obstruction pattern seen in asthma. JVD points to issues like cardiac problems or certain emergencies, not a typical asthma attack. Absent breath sounds can occur if obstruction is extreme or a complication is present, but they are not the usual finding in a standard acute asthma episode. The expiratory wheeze best captures the common respiratory finding in this scenario.