VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The question tests the understanding of **asthma exacerbation** management and the potential complications of **bronchodilator therapy**. It involves the pathophysiology of **oxygenation** and **ventilation** in the context of **respiratory disease**.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Although the specific correct answer choice is not provided, the scenario describes a situation where a patient with asthma shows initial improvement with **nebulized salbutamol** (a **beta-2 agonist**) in terms of ability to speak, indicating relief of bronchospasm, but then experiences a drop in **SpO2**. This could be due to several factors, including increased **perfusion** to areas of the lung that are poorly **ventilated**, leading to **ventilation-perfusion mismatch**.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Would be incorrect if it suggested a mechanism unrelated to the effects of salbutamol or the pathophysiology of asthma.
**Option B:** Might be incorrect if it proposed an unrelated or less likely cause for the desaturation.
**Option C:** Could be incorrect if it did not account for the specific clinical context of asthma and bronchodilator use.
**Option D:** Would be wrong if it failed to consider the potential for **ventilation-perfusion mismatch** or other direct consequences of salbutamol administration.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that while **beta-2 agonists** like salbutamol are crucial for relieving bronchospasm in asthma, they can also cause **systemic effects**, including potential worsening of **ventilation-perfusion matching** in the lungs, leading to decreased **oxygen saturation**.
**Correct Answer:** Correct Answer: D.