ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) Nursing -
Pathophysiology, Treatment
ARDS NCLEX Review
This NCLEX review will discuss ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome).
As a nursing student, you must be familiar with ARDS and how it affects patients. In addition to the signs and
symptoms, nursing interventions, and treatments for this condition.
Don’t forget to take the free quiz that contains ARDS nclex questions after reviewing this material.
ARDS NCLEX Lecture
ARDS NCLEX Review
What is ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)? It’s a type of respiratory failure that occurs when the
capillary membrane that surrounds the alveoli sac becomes damaged, which causes fluid to leak into the
alveoli sac.
Result? Impaired gas exchange! Gas exchange doesn’t occur properly due to many reasons, such as: fluid in
the alveoli sac, collapsed alveoli sacs, and a decrease in lung compliance (hence the lungs are becoming
less elastic….”stiff”).
This will lead to oxygen not being able to cross the alveolar capillary membrane to go back in the blood to
oxygenate it, which will result in hypoxemia. In turn, the organs of the body will suffer due to this and death
can occur if treatment does not happen. In majority cases of ARDS, the patient will need respiratory
assistance via a ventilator with PEEP (discussed in detail below).
Quick Facts about Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• It has a fast onset!
• It tends to occur in people who are already sick (hospitalized) and develops as a complication. For
example, a patient who has experienced severe burns is at risk for ARDS due to the systemic
inflammation present in the body.
• ARDS has a high mortality rate!
What can cause the capillary membrane to become more permeable and leak fluid? Usually events that lead to
major systemic inflammation in the body, which can be indirectly damage the capillary membrane or directly
damage the capillary membrane.
Indirect vs. Direct Injury to the Capillary Membrane
Indirect (source isn’t the lungs): the capillary membrane is INDIRECTLY damaged. There is a systemic
inflammatory response system (SIRS) by the immune system.
Common Causes:
• *Sepsis (most common and there is a very poor prognosis if the patient has a gram-negative bacteria)
: 패혈증 (가장 흔하며 환자에게 그람 음성균이있는 경우 예후가 매우 좋지 않음)
• Burns
• Blood transfusion (multiple)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Drug overdose
Direct (source is the lungs)….capillary membrane is DIRECTLY damaged
• Pneumonia
• Aspiration
• Inhaling a toxic substance
• Significant drowning event
• Embolism
This study source was downloaded by 100000815611969 from CourseHero.com on 01-24-2023 00:08:04 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/78993542/ARDS-Acute-Respiratory-Distress-Syndrome-Nursing-Pathophysiology-Treatmentdocx/
, ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) Nursing -
Pathophysiology, Treatment
How it happens? Pathophysiology: Phases (varies on severity…this is worst case scenario)
This study source was downloaded by 100000815611969 from CourseHero.com on 01-24-2023 00:08:04 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/78993542/ARDS-Acute-Respiratory-Distress-Syndrome-Nursing-Pathophysiology-Treatmentdocx/
Pathophysiology, Treatment
ARDS NCLEX Review
This NCLEX review will discuss ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome).
As a nursing student, you must be familiar with ARDS and how it affects patients. In addition to the signs and
symptoms, nursing interventions, and treatments for this condition.
Don’t forget to take the free quiz that contains ARDS nclex questions after reviewing this material.
ARDS NCLEX Lecture
ARDS NCLEX Review
What is ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome)? It’s a type of respiratory failure that occurs when the
capillary membrane that surrounds the alveoli sac becomes damaged, which causes fluid to leak into the
alveoli sac.
Result? Impaired gas exchange! Gas exchange doesn’t occur properly due to many reasons, such as: fluid in
the alveoli sac, collapsed alveoli sacs, and a decrease in lung compliance (hence the lungs are becoming
less elastic….”stiff”).
This will lead to oxygen not being able to cross the alveolar capillary membrane to go back in the blood to
oxygenate it, which will result in hypoxemia. In turn, the organs of the body will suffer due to this and death
can occur if treatment does not happen. In majority cases of ARDS, the patient will need respiratory
assistance via a ventilator with PEEP (discussed in detail below).
Quick Facts about Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
• It has a fast onset!
• It tends to occur in people who are already sick (hospitalized) and develops as a complication. For
example, a patient who has experienced severe burns is at risk for ARDS due to the systemic
inflammation present in the body.
• ARDS has a high mortality rate!
What can cause the capillary membrane to become more permeable and leak fluid? Usually events that lead to
major systemic inflammation in the body, which can be indirectly damage the capillary membrane or directly
damage the capillary membrane.
Indirect vs. Direct Injury to the Capillary Membrane
Indirect (source isn’t the lungs): the capillary membrane is INDIRECTLY damaged. There is a systemic
inflammatory response system (SIRS) by the immune system.
Common Causes:
• *Sepsis (most common and there is a very poor prognosis if the patient has a gram-negative bacteria)
: 패혈증 (가장 흔하며 환자에게 그람 음성균이있는 경우 예후가 매우 좋지 않음)
• Burns
• Blood transfusion (multiple)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Drug overdose
Direct (source is the lungs)….capillary membrane is DIRECTLY damaged
• Pneumonia
• Aspiration
• Inhaling a toxic substance
• Significant drowning event
• Embolism
This study source was downloaded by 100000815611969 from CourseHero.com on 01-24-2023 00:08:04 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/78993542/ARDS-Acute-Respiratory-Distress-Syndrome-Nursing-Pathophysiology-Treatmentdocx/
, ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) Nursing -
Pathophysiology, Treatment
How it happens? Pathophysiology: Phases (varies on severity…this is worst case scenario)
This study source was downloaded by 100000815611969 from CourseHero.com on 01-24-2023 00:08:04 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/78993542/ARDS-Acute-Respiratory-Distress-Syndrome-Nursing-Pathophysiology-Treatmentdocx/
