Signs and Symptoms of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Patient was educated on signs and symptoms of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome as follows: The signs and symptoms of ARDS can vary in intensity, secondary to the differences in the extent of lung injury and alveolar damage, along with other comorbidities patients can have. Usual signs and symptoms include Extreme shortness of breath: From low oxygen availability to tissues in general. Confusion: From low oxygen availability to the brain and nervous system. Extreme shortness of [...]

Risk Factors for Development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Patient was educated on risk factors for development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome as follows: ARDS usually occurs in patients, who are severely ill, hospitalized, and have many factors of comorbidity. Injury to the lungs and alveoli can occur secondary to conditions such as, Severe sepsis Excessive inhalation of exhaust fumes Unresolving pneumonia Near drowning with fluid accumulation in the lungs Major physical trauma to the chest, injuring the lungs Aspiration of food material into [...]

Pathogenesis of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Patient was educated on pathogenesis of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome as follows: ARDS usually occurs in patients, who are severely ill, hospitalized, and have many factors of comorbidity. The common element among the various risk factors for development of ARDS is, diffuse injury to the alveoli and small blood vessels in the lungs, leading to leaking of fluid from the blood vessels and accumulating in the alveoli. The usual protective response to injury is an [...]

Nurse Teaching on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Patient was educated on Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome as follows: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome also known as ARDS is a condition in which there is fluid built up in the alveoli of the lungs, secondary to injury to the lung. Usually, alveoli are the sites for gas exchange in the lungs. Since, the alveoli are filled with fluid in a patient with ARDS, the gas exchange is compromised. Secondary to the compromise in gas exchange, [...]

Pulmonary Surfactant

Patient was educated on pulmonary surfactant as follows: Surfactant is a substance produced by cells in the alveoli of the lung. During exhalation or breathing out, surface tension between the walls of the alveoli will be high and this can lead to the walls of the alveoli to stick together and collapse. During the next inhalation or breathing in, collapsed alveoli demand extra effort to expand and accommodate fresh air. Surfactant in the lung helps [...]