1. Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a form of acute respiratory failure that occurs as a complication of some other condition, is caused by a diffuse lung injury, and leads to extravascular lung fluid.

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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Nursing Care Plan & Management
Description
1. Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a form of acute respiratory failure that
occurs as a complication of some other condition, is caused by a diffuse lung
injury, and leads to extravascular lung fluid.
2. The major site of injury is the alveolar capillary membrane.
3. The interstitial edema causes compression and obliteration of the terminal
airways and leads to reduced lung volume and compliance.
4. The ABG’s identify respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia that does not respond to
an increase percentage of oxygen.
5. The chest X-ray film shows interstitial edema.
6. Some of the causes includes sepsis, fluid overload, shock, trauma, neurological
injuries, burns, disseminated intravascular coagulation, drug ingestion and
inhalation of toxic substances.
Causes & Risk Factors
ARDS can be caused by any major swelling (inflammation) or injury to the lung. Some
common causes include:
Breathing vomit into the lungs (aspiration)
Inhaling chemicals
Pneumonia

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Septic shock
Trauma
ARDS leads to a buildup of fluid in the air sacs. This fluid prevents enough oxygen from
passing into the bloodstream.
The fluid buildup also makes the lungs heavy and stiff, and decreases the lungs’ ability to
expand. The level of oxygen in the blood can stay dangerously low, even if the person
receives oxygen from a breathing machine (mechanical ventilator) through a breathing
tube (endotracheal tube).
ARDS often occurs along with the failure of other organ systems, such as the liver or the
kidneys. Cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use may be risk factors.
Assessment
1. Tachypnea
2. Dyspnea
3. Decrease breath sounds
4. Deteriorating gas levels
5. Hypoxemia despite high concentration of delivered oxygen
6. Decreased pulmonary compliance
7. Pulmonary infiltrates
Diagnostic Evaluation
1. Based on clinical criteria history of risk factors acute onset of respiratory distress
bilateral pulmonary infiltrates absence of left heart failure and severe refractory
hypoxemia.
2. Chest X-ray shows bilateral infiltrates and pulmonary edema.
Primary Nursing Diagnosis
Impaired gas exchange related to increased alveolar-capillary permeability,
interstitial edema and decreased lung compliance
Other Diagnoses that may occur in Nursing Care Plans For ARDS
Ineffective airway clearance
Ineffective breathing pattern
Activity intolerance
Anxiety (specify level: mild, moderate, severe, panic)

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Risk for aspiration
Medical Management
Identify and treat the underlying condition insure early detection; use aggressive
supportive treatment; prevent infection ( intubation and mechanical ventilation).
As disease progresses, use positive and expiratory pressure PEEP ( neuromuscular
blocking agent such as pancuronium (pavulon and vecuronium) (norcuron)
maybe used to paralyzed patient for easier ventilation.
Monitor arterial blood gas values , pulse symmetry , and pulmonary function
testing.
Provide circulatory support; treat hypovolemia carefully ; avoid overload
Provide adequate fluid management ; administer intravenous solutions
Provide nutritional support; (35 to 45 kilocalories per kilogram daily)
Pharmacologic therapy may include human recombinant interleukin-1 receptor
antagonist, neutrophil inhibitors, pulmonary- specific vasodilators, surfactant
replacement therapy, antisepsis agents, antioxidant therapy, and corticosteroids
(late in the course of ARDS).
Pharmacologic Intervention
General Comments: Use of genetically engineered surfactant has been studied in
ARDS but has not demonstrated the success that has occurred in premature
infants with surfactant deficiency. Corticosteroids have been widely used in
ARDS, yet studies have not consistently demonstrated any improvement in
patient outcomes and remain controversial. Some evidence exists that prolonged
treatment with low-dose corticosteroids may benefit patients with unresolving
ARDS, particularly by reversing the process of fibroproliferation. If the patient is
difficult to ventilate, she or he may receive skeletal muscle relaxants such as
vecuronium (Norcuron), which are neuromuscular-blocking agents that paralyze
the patient’s skeletal muscles. These medications are used only when the
patient’s gas exchange is so poor as to threaten his or her life. Neuromuscular-
blocking agents paralyze the patient without affecting mental status, so the
patient requires sedation to counteract the accompanying fear and anxiety that
occur when the patient is unable to move.
Nitric oxide Inhalation route a pulmonary vascular vasodilator to decreases
pulmonary vascular resistance with increased perfusion to ventilated areas
Nursing Intervention
1. Identify and treat cause of the Acute respiratory distress syndrome

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2. Administer oxygen as prescribed.
3. Position client in high fowler’s position.
4. Restrict fluid intake as prescribed.
5. Provide respiratory treatment as prescribed.
6. Administer diuretics, anticoagulants or corticosteroids as prescribed.
7. Prepare the client for intubation and mechanical ventilation using PEEP.
Documentation Guidelines
Respiratory status of the patient: respiratory rate, breath sounds, and the use of
accessory muscles; arterial blood gas (ABG) levels; pulse oximeter and chest x-ray
results
Response to treatment, mechanical ventilation, immobility, and bedrest
Presence of any complications (depends on the precipitating condition leading to
ARDS)
Discharge and Home Healthcare Guidelines
PREVENTION. Prompt attention for any infections may decrease the incidence of
sepsis,which can lead to ARDS.
COMPLICATIONS. If patients survive ARDS, few residual effects are seen.
Complications are directed to any other conditions the patient may have.