Which finding would be typical in ARDS during acute distress?

Which finding would be typical in ARDS during acute distress?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Pulmonary edema
• D. Hypoventilation with clear lungs

Answer: (C)

ARDS presents with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. In acute distress, injury to the alveolar-capillary barrier causes fluid to leak into the interstitium and alveoli, leading to edema, decreased lung compliance, and hypoxemia that often does not fully respond to oxygen. This edema is not due to heart failure, so the finding of pulmonary edema fits ARDS best. Hypertension isn’t a defining feature, tachycardia can occur from stress but isn’t specific, and hypoventilation with clear lungs contradicts the edema pattern seen in ARDS.

ARDS presents with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. In acute distress, injury to the alveolar-capillary barrier causes fluid to leak into the interstitium and alveoli, leading to edema, decreased lung compliance, and hypoxemia that often does not fully respond to oxygen. This edema is not due to heart failure, so the finding of pulmonary edema fits ARDS best. Hypertension isn’t a defining feature, tachycardia can occur from stress but isn’t specific, and hypoventilation with clear lungs contradicts the edema pattern seen in ARDS.