Question

A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which statement is true regarding acute respiratory distress syndrome? A. The disorder is a direct result of left-sided heart failure. B. The disorder affects only clients with chronic pulmonary disease. C. The disorder is characterized by refractory hypoxemia. D. The disorder responds very favorably to the use of surfactant replacement.

Short answer

Answer: The disorder is characterized by refractory hypoxemia.

Step-by-step solution

Define Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

ARDS is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from reaching the lungs and bloodstream. It can develop quickly due to various causes like pneumonia, sepsis, or traumatic injury. It is characterized by fluid buildup in the lung's air sacs (alveoli), reducing the lungs' ability to intake oxygen.

Analyze Statement A

A. The disorder is a direct result of left-sided heart failure. Left-sided heart failure can cause fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), but ARDS has various causes besides heart failure. So, this statement is not true.

Analyze Statement B

B. The disorder affects only clients with chronic pulmonary disease. ARDS can affect anyone, not just those with chronic pulmonary disease. So, this statement is not true.

Analyze Statement C

C. The disorder is characterized by refractory hypoxemia. Refractory hypoxemia is a state where low oxygen levels in the blood don't improve with high levels of supplemental oxygen. ARDS does have this characteristic due to impaired gas exchange, and therefore, this statement is true.

Analyze Statement D

D. The disorder responds very favorably to the use of surfactant replacement. Surfactant replacement therapy can be helpful in some cases of ARDS, but it's not a guaranteed treatment, and the overall response and outcomes in ARDS still depend on many factors. So, this statement is not entirely true.

Choose the correct statement

Based on the analysis, Statement C is the true statement regarding acute respiratory distress syndrome: "The disorder is characterized by refractory hypoxemia."