What condition is characterized by shortness of breath and a nonproductive nocturnal cough?

The condition characterized by shortness of breath and a nonproductive nocturnal cough is indeed asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that can lead to episodic wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. One of the hallmark features of asthma is the occurrence of cough, particularly at night, which can be nonproductive—meaning it does not produce mucus or phlegm. Asthma symptoms often worsen at night due to various factors, including changes in airway reactivity and potential exposure to allergens or irritants.

In contrast, conditions like pneumonia typically involve productive cough and other systemic symptoms such as fever and chills, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) generally presents with a chronic productive cough and is associated with exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke. Pericarditis, which refers to inflammation of the pericardium, primarily causes chest pain rather than respiratory symptoms, like shortness of breath.

These distinctions help clarify why asthma is the correct answer for this question about the specific symptoms presented.