The pathophysiology of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) involves a systemic immune response that triggers the release of inflammatory mediators called cytokines. This causes the pulmonary vasculature to become more permeable, and fluid infiltrates the lungs. This presents a ventilation-perfusion mismatch that causes blood to bypass the alveoli without gaseous exchange, leading to hypoxemia (Schreiber, 2018). Oxygen delivery does not improve the amount of oxygen in the body, and gas exchange is compromised further from alveolar collapse related to decreased surfactant secretion in the lungs. Pulmonary compliance is compromised, and the patient’s effort to breathe increases significantly. Without resolution during this phase, pulmonary tissue will become densely fibrotic.
The author, Mary L Schreiber, is a nursing faculty member and has the expertise to write this article. The author is also a MEDSURG Nursing Editorial Board member, a certified platform to produce medical and nursing reports on various illnesses. Schreiber is a nurse with experience managing patients with ARDS, making her more proficient in building an article on the disease (Schreiber, 2018). The author discusses the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of ARDS and nursing considerations for managing and preventing this condition, adhering to all guidelines for developing such an article.
The article was published in the Medical-Surgical (MEDSURG) nursing journal. The information provided appears to be from reliable sources. The sources appear trustworthy because they are from reputable organizations, such as the American Lung Association and the Mayo Clinic. In addition, the information is supported by research gathered from peer-reviewed articles written by credible authors and publishers. The sources are also relevant to the ARDS topic and adequately inform the research to develop the article. For instance, one of the cited articles within the text entitled “what is acute respiratory syndrome” was employed to provide an evidence-based definition of ARDS (Schreiber, 2018). Getting to understand the meaning of ARDS was essential for this study.
The article aims to analyze information on ARDS, a rapidly progressive and life-threatening disease process. The author provides an overview of the condition, including its pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management considerations. The article also discusses prevention efforts for ARDS (Schreiber, 2018). By providing an overview of the disease, the author hopes to educate readers on the importance of early recognition of signs and symptoms, strict infection control measures, and ventilator bundle protocols.
This paper would be helpful for nurses and other medical professionals who care for patients with ARDS. The article properly explains ARDS interventions and prevention measures. ARDS nursing interventions include ventilator management, emotional support to patients and workers, and continually practicing infection control methods and ventilator bundle protocols (Schreiber, 2018). Prevention techniques include reducing or avoiding alcohol intake, updating vaccinations, and avoiding smoking. Screening should be conducted early enough to ensure timely diagnoses to enable better management of the illness if present.
The most crucial aspects covered within the article are the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and management techniques of ARDS. The syndrome is a severe illness resulting from various diseases, including sepsis, pneumonia, and pulmonary aspiration. ARDS can manifest in multiple symptoms, including orthopnea, coughing, and fever. The primary care technique for ARDS is prioritizing stabilizing pulmonary activity (Schreiber, 2018). The core implications of the article are that ARDS advances quickly if not managed, but it can be controlled by close monitoring of a patient’s pulmonary function. Also, the condition requires a skilled, prompt, and aggressive response from health care providers (Schreiber, 2018). The article was chosen because it contains all the most crucial aspects of ARDS. The article drew its evidence from up-to-date articles from credible authors and reliable journals discussing various concepts about ARDS. It is also timely and developed from reliable sources. Thus, the article has updated information about the illness, hence helpful in this research
One of the significant implications of this study to nursing practice is that it provides nurses with a well-defined evidence-supported technique to manage ARDS, focusing on maintaining patients’ pulmonary function. This includes close monitoring of respiratory status, prompt recognition of changes, and aggressive management of the respiratory process (Schreiber, 2018). This is necessary to prevent the condition from worsening and ensure that the patient receives the best possible care. Patient education is also essential for preventing and treating ARDS.
Secondly, nurses can utilize the article to understand the importance of emotional support to patients and their families when dealing with ARDS. The stress of experiencing a critical condition can be overwhelming, and the nurse can play a vital role in providing support and comfort. Lastly, nurses understand that smoking is a significant contributing factor to the development of ARDS. Health caregivers should encourage patients to stop smoking and to get annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations. All nurses should understand these implications in the broader efforts to mitigate or reduce ARDS cases.
Clinicians must understand the potential for ARDS in critically ill or injured patients. Nurses must be familiar with the symptoms of ARDS, which can include dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, pallor, mild hypoxia, respiratory alkalosis, and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on chest x-ray. If the nurse suspects a patient may have ARDS, it is essential to monitor the patient’s respiratory status and notify the physician as soon as possible (Schreiber, 2018). Early recognition of risk factors and changes in respiratory rate is crucial to maximizing recovery. The nurse plays a vital role in managing ARDS, from monitoring the patient’s respiratory status to providing emotional support. By remaining vigilant and familiar with the signs and symptoms of ARDS, the nurse can help ensure the best possible outcome for the patient.
Reference
Schreiber, M. L. (2018). Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Medsurg Nursing, 27(1), 59-65. Web.