Which of the following conditions is a recognized cause of respiratory distress?

• A. Asthma
• B. Fractured leg
• C. Sunburn
• D. Nausea without other symptoms

Answer: (A)

Breathing distress occurs when air cannot move effectively through the airways. Asthma directly causes this because the airways become inflamed and constrict (bronchoconstriction), which makes inhaling and exhaling difficult. The result is shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness—classic signs of respiratory distress that arise from airway narrowing. The other options don’t typically produce breathing difficulties in the same way: a fractured leg is a musculoskeletal injury, sunburn is skin damage, and nausea without other symptoms generally doesn’t impair respiration. In a first aid context, recognizing asthma as a cause means you’d support the person with their inhaler if available and seek help if symptoms worsen.