In the emergency nursing care of a patient with suspected ARDS, what is the initial management priority?
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Correct answer: Treat the underlying cause while giving oxygen and lung-protective ventilation
Early care includes identifying triggers (e.g., aspiration), ensuring adequate oxygenation, and applying lung-protective ventilation (low tidal volumes) rather than high volumes or delay.
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More Acute Respiratory Distress (ARDS) questions
- According to guidelines, which ventilatory strategy is recommended for ARDS to reduce mortality?
- Which intervention has been shown to improve outcomes in moderate to severe ARDS?
- A patient in the ED has suspected aspiration of gastric contents. What is correct about aspiration and lung injury?
- Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate immediately after suspected aspiration in a semi-conscious patient?
- Which lab/monitoring result would most clearly indicate worsening ARDS?
- A nurse recognises the importance of fluid management in ARDS. Which strategy is supported by current evidence?