NAECB Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Certification

Wheezing in response to tobacco smoke exposure at a young age typically indicates a constriction of the airways. This is primarily a result of smooth muscle contraction, which occurs due to the irritants found in tobacco smoke triggering a reflex in the airways. When these irritants are inhaled, they can cause the smooth muscles surrounding the bronchial tubes to constrict, narrowing the airways and making it more difficult for air to flow through. This constriction is a response to the inflammatory processes initiated by irritants and allergens in tobacco smoke.

While inflammation and excessive mucus secretion are also part of the overall response to irritants and can contribute to airway obstruction and wheezing, the immediate cause of the wheezing sound itself, particularly in the context of a teenager exposed to tobacco, largely stems from smooth muscle contraction. Esophageal spasm, though it can cause discomfort and respiratory-like symptoms, is not directly related to the pathophysiology of wheezing induced by tobacco smoke exposure.