Which lab/monitoring result would most clearly indicate worsening ARDS?
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Correct answer: A PaO2/FiO2 ratio falling below 200 despite increased FiO2
A hallmark of ARDS is worsening hypoxemia reflected in a low PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio (e.g., <200) despite high FiO₂ and supportive care.
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More Acute Respiratory Distress (ARDS) questions
- A nurse recognises the importance of fluid management in ARDS. Which strategy is supported by current evidence?
- When caring for a mechanically ventilated ARDS patient, how can the risk of ventilator-associated lung injury (VILI) be reduced?
- Which of the following is a key nursing diagnosis relevant to aspiration risk?
- In a patient with ARDS undergoing prone positioning, what is the most important nursing consideration?
- A patient in ARDS with PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio of 120 despite high PEEP and low tidal volume ventilation might require which advanced intervention?
- Which of the following best describes ARDS?