Critical Care Nursing NCLEX Questions Related

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What are the diagnostic criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)? (Select all that apply.)

  • A. Bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray study
  • B. Decreased cardiac output
  • C. PaO /FiO ratio of less than 200 2 2
  • D. Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) of more than 18 mm Hg
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray study. ARDS diagnosis requires bilateral infiltrates on chest x-ray, indicative of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Choice B, decreased cardiac output, is not a diagnostic criterion for ARDS. Choice C, PaO2/FiO2 ratio of less than 200, is a key diagnostic criteria for ARDS, indicating severe hypoxemia. Choice D, PAOP of more than 18 mm Hg, is used to differentiate between cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic causes of pulmonary edema, but it is not a direct diagnostic criterion for ARDS.