NCLEX RN Practice Question # 881
NCLEX Examination.
Practice Question # 881.
NCLEX Examination.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Description
- A form of acute respiratory failure that occurs as a complication caused by a diffuse lung injury or critical illness and leads to extravascular lung fluid.
- The major site of injury is the alveolar capillary membrane.
- The interstitial edema causes compression and obliteration of the terminal airways and leads to reduced lung volume and compliance.
- The ABG levels identify respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia that do not respond to an increased percentage of oxygen.
- The chest x-ray shows bilateral interstitial and alveolar infiltrates; interstitial edema may not be noted until there is a 30% increase in fluid content.
- Causes include sepsis, fluid overload, shock, trauma, neurological injuries, burns, DIC, drug ingestion, aspiration, and inhalation of toxic substances.
Nursing Assessment
- Tachypnea
- Dyspnea
- Decreased breath sounds
- Deteriorating ABG levels
- Hypoxemia despite high concentrations of delivered oxygen
- Decreased pulmonary compliance
- Pulmonary infiltrates