Final answer:
Irritation of the lower airway can result in bronchospasm, characterized by constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle, leading to difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Irritation of the lower airway by a foreign substance activates a vagal reflex-mediated constriction of bronchial smooth muscle, resulting in bronchospasm (option 2).
Bronchospasm is the constriction of the bronchial airways, which leads to difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing. It is a common symptom in conditions such as asthma and allergic reactions.
Other options, such as laryngospasm (option 1), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (option 3), and Mendelson syndrome (option 4), are not directly associated with the constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle.