A 25-year-old woman presents with wheezing, chest tightness, and cough triggered by exposure to pollen. Which of the following best explains the early phase of her asthma attack?
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Correct answer: IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation
Early-phase asthma involves IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation, leading to bronchoconstriction, mucus secretion, and airway edema. This produces acute symptoms.
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