Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with asthma?

The correct answer identifies chronic productive cough as a symptom that is not typically associated with asthma. In asthma, symptoms primarily include wheezing, chest tightness, and occurrence of nocturnal exacerbations due to airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction.

Wheezing is characterized by a whistling sound during breathing, which results from narrowing of the airways. Chest tightness often describes a sensation of pressure in the chest, common during asthma attacks. Night-time exacerbations, commonly referred to as nocturnal asthma, occur more frequently due to increased airway responsiveness during sleep and can provoke symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.

In contrast, a chronic productive cough — one that involves the expulsion of mucus or phlegm and lasts for several months — is more indicative of chronic bronchitis or other respiratory conditions, rather than asthma. Although coughing can be a significant part of asthma symptoms, especially in children, it is usually dry and non-productive during acute attacks, as the primary issue revolves around airway constriction rather than increased mucus production. Therefore, a chronic productive cough does not fit the typical symptomatology associated with asthma.