A 6-year-old boy with known asthma presents to the emergency department with severe breathlessness. He is unable to speak full sentences, respiratory rate is 42/min, pulse 130/min, and SpO2 is 90%. Auscultation reveals very minimal wheeze with markedly reduced air entry bilaterally. What is the most concerning interpretation of this finding?
A
The bronchospasm is resolving
B
Upper airway obstruction
C
Severe airflow limitation with impending respiratory failure
D
Mild asthma exacerbation