Acute Respiratory Destress Syndrome

Question 1

What does acute respiratory destress syndrome occur secondary to? (2)

Answer 1

Sepsis e.g. pneumonia or Covid
Trauma

Question 2

What acutely occurs in acute respiratory destress syndrome to the lungs? (4)

Answer 2

• Collapse of the alveoli and lung tissue (atelectasis)
• Pulmonary oedema (not related to heart failure or fluid overload)
• Decreased lung compliance (reduced lung inflation when ventilated with a given pressure)
• Fibrosis of the lung tissue (typically after 10 days or more)

Question 3

What are the clinical signs of acute respiratory destress syndrome? (2)

Answer 3

Hypoxia with inadequate response to o2 therapy
Bilateral infiltrates on cxr

Question 4

What is the management of acute respiratory destress syndrome? (3)

Answer 4

Supportive

Resp support
Prone positioning
Fluid management

Question 5

What are some benefits to prone positioning? (5)

Answer 5

• Reducing compression of the lungs by other organs
• Improving blood flow to the lungs, particularly the well-ventilated areas
• Improving clearance of secretions
• Improving overall oxygenation
• Reducing the required assistance from mechanical ventilation