A 4-month-old infant has cough, rhinorrhea, wheezing, and mild retractions during winter. Oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. A nasopharyngeal test

Question

A 4-month-old infant has cough, rhinorrhea, wheezing, and mild retractions during winter. Oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. A nasopharyngeal test is positive for respiratory syncytial virus. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's findings?

Accepted Answer

Small-airway inflammation, edema, and mucus plugging

Answer

Cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Answer

Alveolar hemorrhage from vasculitis

Answer

Bronchospasm from chronic eosinophilic asthma

Answer

Foreign body aspiration into the mainstem bronchus

RSV bronchiolitis pathophysiology — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

A 4-month-old infant has cough, rhinorrhea, wheezing, and mild retractions during winter. Oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. A nasopharyngeal test is positive for respiratory syncytial virus. Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient's findings?