Chronic bronchitis is characterized by which of the following symptoms?

Chronic bronchitis is primarily characterized by persistent inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which leads to increased mucus production. This condition results in a productive cough that is often frequent and may last for many months. The hallmark symptom is indeed a recurrent or chronic coughing that produces sputum, making option B the most accurate choice.

In chronic bronchitis, the cough is typically worse in the morning and may be accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest. While other symptoms such as wheezing, chest pain, and weight loss can occur in various respiratory conditions, they're not defining characteristics specific to chronic bronchitis. The chronic cough and excess mucus are central to understanding how this condition manifests in patients, and therefore, option B captures the essence of the symptomatology associated with chronic bronchitis.