Identify a contraindication for the use of beta-blockers in asthmatic patients.

Beta-blockers are medications that block the effects of epinephrine on beta-adrenergic receptors, which can lead to decreased heart rate and blood pressure. In asthmatic patients, the use of non-selective beta-blockers, which block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, poses a significant risk of bronchospasm. This is because beta-2 receptors are primarily located in the lungs and, when stimulated, promote bronchodilation. By blocking these receptors, beta-blockers can cause constriction of the bronchial smooth muscle, leading to an exacerbation of asthma symptoms.

This risk is particularly pronounced in patients with reactive airway disease, as they already have a heightened sensitivity in their airways. Therefore, the use of beta-blockers in these individuals can inadvertently provoke or worsen respiratory distress, which is why the potential for bronchospasm linked to the blockade of beta-2 receptors is considered a contraindication for their use in asthmatic patients.

The other options relate to concerns that, while they may be relevant in other contexts, do not specifically address the unique dangers posed by beta-blockers in asthmatic patients.