A two-year-old patient is in respiratory distress with wheezing respirations. What is likely the cause?

In a two-year-old exhibiting respiratory distress accompanied by wheezing respirations, an asthma attack is the most likely cause. Asthma is characterized by bronchoconstriction, increased airway inflammation, and increased mucus production, leading to wheezing as air attempts to pass through constricted airways. Wheezing is especially common in pediatric patients who may have a reactive airway disease such as asthma, often triggered by allergens, respiratory infections, or exercise.

While pneumonia can cause respiratory distress, it typically presents with other symptoms like fever and cough rather than isolated wheezing. Foreign body obstruction might cause sudden respiratory distress, but it usually results in a sudden onset with stridor or choking sounds rather than wheezing, which is more indicative of reactive airway disease. Anaphylactic shock can also lead to respiratory distress, but it is often accompanied by other systemic symptoms such as hives, swelling, and cardiovascular instability, making it less likely in this scenario where wheezing is the primary concern.