It is a short description or short notes on ards, know we can easily know about this superficially. It is a condition where in the alveoli, the alveoli is filled with fluid and then the gas exchange can't be done properly..

1. ARDS(acute respiratory distress syndrome)
It reffers to as a “non cardiogenic pulmonary edema( pulmonary edema not
caused by cardiac dissorder- occur without left sided heart failure
It is also called as “acute lung injury” {A.L.I.}
ARDS is characterized by sudden and progressive pulmonary edema, severe
hypoxemia and progressive loss of lungs compliance .
Ards and a.l.i. are not primary disease when it occur ards can be lead to a
respiratory failure and death.
INTRODUCTION:-

2. DEFINITION
● Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs when fluid builds up in the tiny,
elastic air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. More fluid in your lungs means less oxygen can
reach your bloodstream
● It is clinical syndrome characterized by a sudden and progressive pulmonary edema
amd hypoxemia.
● 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.
● ARDS is a life threatning lung condition that is prevents sufficient oxygen from
getting to lungs into the blood.

3. IMAGE

4. CAUSE / AETIOLOGY :-
● Sepis syndrome
● Severe mutliple trauma
● Rib fractures
● Aspirantion (saliva,gastric content)
● Toxic fumes inhalation
● Drug abuse, ingestion or overdose
● Sedative overdose
● Chronice gradually smoking
● Localized infection
● Shock
● Major surgery
● Left heart failure
● Air or fat embolism
● Idiopathic

5. Any
etiology
factor
/
Body
responds
to
injury
/
Decrease
blood
flow
in
lungs
/
Result
in
clumping
of
platelets
/
Platelets
release
substance
such
as
histamine,bradykinin
and
serotonin
causing
localized
infection
of
alveolar
membrane
/
Fluid
then
enter
alveoli
/
Cause
pulmonary
edema
/
Ecxcess
fluid
in
alveoli
-
decrease
blood
flow
through
capillary
of
alveoli
(collapse)
/
Gas
exchange
decreed
/
Respiratory
and
metabolic
acidosis
/
Decrease
surfactant
L
Alveoli
collapse
/
Lungs
become
sniff
Decrease
residual
capacity
“Severe
hypoxia
(ARDS)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

6. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:-
● Rapid or acute onset of dyspnea
● Tachypnea/ tachycardia
● Severe hypoxemia / hypoxia
● Stiff lungs ( difficult to ventilate)
● Shortness of breath
● Mental confusion ( due to lack of oxygen supply in brain)
● Low blood pressure
● Organ failure
● Ronchi and scattered crackle sound
● Increase respiratory rate
● Cyanosis
● Anxiety

7. DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION:-
● ABG ANALYSIS
● PULSE OXIMETRY
● CT SCAN (for more accurate images of pulmonary parenchyma)
● Chest x-ray
● Hypoxemia
● Blood test
● Heart test - ecg, ekg

8. Risk factors:-
Most people who develop ARDS are already hospitalized for another condition, and many are
critically ill. You're especially at risk if you have a widespread infection in your bloodstream
(sepsis).
People who have a history of chronic alcoholism are at higher risk of developing ARDS. They're
also more likely to die of ARDS.

9. COMPLICATION
Scarring in the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis). Scarring and thickening of the tissue between the air sacs can
occur within a few weeks of the onset of ARDS. This stiffens your lungs, making it even more difficult for
oxygen to flow from the air sacs into your bloodstream.
Collapsed lung (pneumothorax). In most ARDS cases, a breathing machine called a ventilator is used to
increase oxygen in the body and force fluid out of the lungs. However, the pressure and air volume of the
ventilator can force gas to go through a small hole in the very outside of a lung and cause that lung to
collapse.
Blood clots. Lying still in the hospital while you're on a ventilator can increase your risk of developing blood
clots, particularly in the deep veins in your legs. If a clot forms in your leg, a portion of it can break off and
travel to one or both of your lungs (pulmonary embolism) — where it blocks blood flow.
Infections. Because the ventilator is attached directly to a tube inserted in your windpipe, this makes it much
easier for germs to infect and further injure your lungs.
Abnormal lung function. Many people with ARDS recover most of their lung function within several months to
two years, but others may have breathing problems for the rest of their lives. Even people who do well usually
have shortness of breath and fatigue and may need supplemental oxygen at home for a few months.
Memory, cognitive and emotional problems. Sedatives and low levels of oxygen in the blood can lead to
memory loss and cognitive problems after ARDS. In some cases, the effects may lessen over time, but in
others, the damage may be permanent. Most ARDS survivors also report going through a period of
depression, which is treatable.

10. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT:-
1. Provide oxygen therapy with endotracheal intubation.
2. Provide mechanical ventilation.
3. Provide intropine agent such as “Dopamin Which improves
cardiac output.
4. Provide antibiotics & antiseptic yo prevent infection.
5. Administer large dose of corticosteroid and pulmonary
vasodilation.

11. NURSING MANAGEMENT
● The underlying cause of ARDS should be determined for
appropriate treatment.
● Administer proper medication.
● Fluid management must be maintained.
● Adequate nutrition should be provided.
● Promoting effective clearance and effective gas exchange.
● Reduce anxiety and fear.
● Preventng complication of immbolization.
● If the verbal communication ia impaired, the nurse should
provide alternative method for the client to communicate.

12. NURSING DIAGNOSIS…
1. Ineffective breathing pattern related to ling compliance as
evidenced by restless.
2. Impaired gas exchange related to diffusion defact as
evidenced by hypoxia
3. Risk for decrease cardiac output related to mechanical
ventilation.
4. Anxiety r/t to hospitalisation

13. BOOK - Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing
EDITION10
B a r b a r a K . T i m b y, R N , B C , BSN , M A
Professor Emeritus
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Glen Oaks Community College
Centreville, Michigan
N a n c y E . S m i t h, M S , R N
Professor and Chair
Department of Nursing
Southern Maine Community College
South Portland, Maine
Mobile application - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.kodular.shahroz_midsouth.Medical_Surgical_Nursing
Reference by
Presentation BY _ PRIYANSHU VERMA
BSC NURSING 2ND YEAR STUDENT