What is ARDS? Acute respiratory distress syndrome, commonly referred to as ARDS, is a lung condition that does not allow sufficient oxygen to reach the lungs and then the blood. There are approximately 200,000 cases each year within the United States. Also seen in children, ARDS can be a mortal condition with substitute names such as non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, increased-permeability pulmonary edema, and acute lung injury. According to the American Lung Association, ARDS occurs when there is trauma to the lungs, either directly or indirectly. Most people who get ARDS are already in the hospital for trauma or illness, and ARDS causes fluid to leak into the lungs, making it difficult to get oxygen into the blood. ARDS can be associated with
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Common causes of ARDS incorporate any injuries that are directly or indirectly related to the lungs. Commonly leading to the plugging of fluids in the alveoli, the fluids create a barrier that does not allow oxygen to enter the bloodstream. This barrier causes an even greater problem because it causes the lungs to become weighed down and stiff, leading to the inability for the lungs to broaden. Oxygen levels in the blood can halt at low levels even after the patient gets oxygen from a ventilator through an endotracheal tube. Similar to other respiratory diseases, alcohol and cigarettes are common possibilities that can lead to ARDS. Failure of other organs in the body such as the kidneys or liver can go hand in hand with …show more content…
Every patient that has ARDS needs oxygen therapy and typically also a ventilator, a device that distributes oxygen therapy and breathes into a tube that is placed into the trachea. Not necessary for treatment and a difficult maneuver, prone positioning involves having the patient lay face down to help increase oxygen levels in the blood and boost survival rates with patients. There are specific types of beds that make this easier for positioning, but it is important to keep in mind that transferring a patient to one of these beds requires multiple staff members. Ventilators are commonly known as troublesome, which can make the patient upset, causing a chain reaction that affects the lungs. The most common way to make sure that the patient is relaxed and calm is to sedate them. There are pros and cons to sedating a patient, and they need to be discussed with a doctor before administering. Diuretics are often given to patients to assist with fluid removal in the body and to ensure that the lungs are clear of fluid. This is a delicate balance due to the fact that if the patient receives too much of the diuretic, kidney infections and low blood pressure could
Common causes of ARDS incorporate any injuries that are directly or indirectly related to the lungs. Commonly leading to the plugging of fluids in the alveoli, the fluids create a barrier that does not allow oxygen to enter the bloodstream. This barrier causes an even greater problem because it causes the lungs to become weighed down and stiff, leading to the inability for the lungs to broaden. Oxygen levels in the blood can halt at low levels even after the patient gets oxygen from a ventilator through an endotracheal tube. Similar to other respiratory diseases, alcohol and cigarettes are common possibilities that can lead to ARDS. Failure of other organs in the body such as the kidneys or liver can go hand in hand with …show more content…
Every patient that has ARDS needs oxygen therapy and typically also a ventilator, a device that distributes oxygen therapy and breathes into a tube that is placed into the trachea. Not necessary for treatment and a difficult maneuver, prone positioning involves having the patient lay face down to help increase oxygen levels in the blood and boost survival rates with patients. There are specific types of beds that make this easier for positioning, but it is important to keep in mind that transferring a patient to one of these beds requires multiple staff members. Ventilators are commonly known as troublesome, which can make the patient upset, causing a chain reaction that affects the lungs. The most common way to make sure that the patient is relaxed and calm is to sedate them. There are pros and cons to sedating a patient, and they need to be discussed with a doctor before administering. Diuretics are often given to patients to assist with fluid removal in the body and to ensure that the lungs are clear of fluid. This is a delicate balance due to the fact that if the patient receives too much of the diuretic, kidney infections and low blood pressure could