Which of the following is a common sign of lower airway diseases?

Pursed-lip breathing is a common sign of lower airway diseases, particularly in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. This breathing technique involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips, which helps to keep the airways open longer and can improve airflow. It is often instinctively adopted by patients experiencing difficulty in breathing, particularly when they are trying to manage dyspnea.

Lower airway diseases typically involve inflammation and obstruction in the bronchial tubes and alveoli, which can cause patients to experience breathlessness and difficulty with breathing. The act of pursing the lips during exhalation helps to prevent airway collapse, allowing for more effective carbon dioxide removal from the lungs.

Other options mentioned don't directly correlate with the primary signs of lower airway diseases. Rapid shallow breathing may occur in many conditions, but it often indicates a different issue related to higher levels of respiratory distress or other respiratory patterns. Excessive sweating can occur in a variety of medical conditions, not specifically indicative of lower airway disease. A high fever may point towards infections, which could indirectly affect the respiratory system but is not characteristic of lower airway disease itself. Therefore, pursed-lip breathing stands out as a definitive respiratory strategy adopted by individuals with