Ontario Paramedic Practice Exam

Which condition is NOT a common cause of respiratory distress?

1. Asthma

2. COPD

3. Pneumonia

4. Hypertension

The correct answer is: Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is not typically associated with respiratory distress. Respiratory distress usually results from conditions that directly affect the lungs or the ability to breathe effectively. Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and pneumonia are all conditions that directly compromise airway function, affect gas exchange, or lead to inflammation in the respiratory system. Asthma causes airway constriction and inflammation, leading to difficulty in breathing. COPD encompasses a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe, while pneumonia is an infection that inflates the air sacs in the lungs, often leading to coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing. These conditions can create varying degrees of respiratory distress, making them common causes in clinical practice. In contrast, while hypertension may impact overall cardiovascular health, it does not directly affect the respiratory system in a way that would lead to distress. Therefore, identifying hypertension as the condition not commonly leading to respiratory distress is accurate.