New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Exam

Asthma is primarily caused by a response from which bodily system?

1. Immune system

2. Endocrine system

3. Respiratory system

4. Cardiovascular system

The correct answer is: Immune system

Asthma is primarily caused by a response from the immune system, particularly through the mechanisms that involve inflammation and hypersensitivity. In asthma, the immune system overreacts to certain triggers, which can include allergens, irritants, exercise, or infections. This overreaction leads to inflammatory responses in the airways, resulting in symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness. When environmental triggers come into contact with the airway, they can cause the immune system to release various mediators like histamines, leukotrienes, and cytokines. These substances lead to the swelling of the airway lining, increased mucus production, and tightening of the muscles around the airways, making it difficult for air to flow and resulting in the characteristic symptoms of asthma. The other bodily systems mentioned—endocrine, respiratory, and cardiovascular—while they may have roles in the overall function of the body, do not primarily initiate the pathological process of asthma. The endocrine system regulates hormones and does not directly cause the inflammatory response seen in asthma. The respiratory system is affected by asthma but is not the source of the underlying problem; it is rather the site where the symptoms manifest. The cardiovascular system, meanwhile, may respond to the effects of