ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
What is the most common early symptom of ARDS?
What is dyspnea that develops within hours to days after the trigger.
What is the #1 cause of flail chest injuries?
What is motor vehicle accidents.
Every PE requires immediate treatment—why?
What is because untreated PEs can be fatal.
What type of fluid in thoracentesis indicates infection?
What is purulent fluid.
What is the hallmark finding of ARDS on assessment?
What is stiff lungs with decreased pulmonary compliance.
Which underlying condition is the most frequent cause of ARDS?
What is sepsis.
In flail chest, how does the injured segment of the chest move during inspiration?
The flail segment pulls inward (paradoxical movement).
Which lab value, if elevated, suggests a large PE and possible poor outcome?
What is Troponin
A pt with pleural effusion is on oxygen, what complications of oxygen therapy should the nurse monitor?
What is dehydration and oxygen toxicity
Which condition leads to hypoxemic respiratory failure: pulmonary edema or opioid overdose?
What is pulmonary edema?
In ARDS, lungs become stiff and non-compliant. What does this decrease in compliance lead to?
What is difficulty expanding the lungs and impaired gas exchange.
Which imaging test is the most reliable for diagnosing flail chest?
What is CT scan.
A nurse is teaching a client on anticoagulant therapy after a PE. What is one key safety recommendation?
What is use a soft toothbrush to prevent bleeding, electric shaver, avoid NSAIDs and eat a consistent level of vitamin K in your diet.
This sign (in (tension pneumothorax)tells the nurse that the heart is compressed, compromising cardiac filling and leads to decrease cardiac output?
What is tracheal deviation?
In tension pneumothorax, why does cardiac output fall?
What is compression prevents the heart from filling properly.
Clients with ARDS often experience what long-term complication related to nutrition and strength?
What is muscle wasting.
A client with respiratory failure develops severe hypercapnia. What unusual tremor might the nurse observe?
What is asterixis (flapping tremor).
A surgical removal of a blood clot
What is thrombectomy
This diagnostic test is the most sensitive for diagnosing flail chest
What is chest CT?
Which health care professional should always be part of the team for a client in respiratory failure?
What is Respiratory therapist.
During a skin check on a client with ARDS, what complication should the nurse look for?
What is pressure injuries (bed sores).
Which statement from a client with flail chest shows a need for more teaching?
“I should avoid using pain medication as much as possible.”
This is the preferred anticoagulant to treat PE
What is LMWH
This is treatment for flail chest?
What is airway first, pain control and pulmonary hygiene.
Severe trauma, aspiration, or pneumonia can cause ARDS—but which one is the most frequent cause overall?
What is sepsis?