Bronchiolitis in infants is typically characterized by which combination of symptoms?

• A. Shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
• B. High fever with productive cough in adults.
• C. Chronic dull chest pain.
• D. Severe dehydration with hypotension.

Answer: (A)

Bronchiolitis in infants causes obstruction of the small airways, leading to increased work of breathing and airway noises. The combination of shortness of breath (dyspnea), wheezing, and coughing reflects this lower airway inflammation and obstruction typical in bronchiolitis, often seen with viral infections like RSV. The other options don’t fit: a high fever with productive cough in adults points more to bacterial infection or a different illness, chronic dull chest pain isn’t typical of an acute bronchiolitis presentation, and severe dehydration with hypotension is not the defining feature of bronchiolitis (though dehydration can occur if feeding is reduced).