CCRN Critical Care Nursing

Answer: D - A patient with 72 hours post-operative repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and who has become dyspneic with increased respiratory rate increases from 24 to 40/min is likely to develop Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is a severe lung disease characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma leading to impaired gas exchange with concomitant systemic release of inflammatory mediators causing inflammation, hypoxemia and frequently resulting in multiple organ failure. This condition is often fatal, usually requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to an intensive care unit. A less severe form is called acute lung injury (ALI).