OVERVIEW

ICU Alert: Worsening Respiratory Function Can Signal ARDS is organized by Nurse.com - OnCourse Learning Corporation and will be held from Mar 06, 2018 - Mar 06, 2021. This CME Conference has been approved for a maximum of 1.0 Contact Hours.

Description:
Despite progress in managing acute care disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) continues to pose challenges for critical care clinicians. Respiratory failure that characterizes ARDS is a common cause of morbidity and mortality, with mortality rates of 40% to 50%. ARDS is associated with injury to the alveolar-capillary membrane of the lungs, which alters oxygenation status and results in a reduced concentration of oxygen in the blood. A variety of conditions that predispose the lungs to injury can cause ARDS, and both direct and indirect injuries can lead to it. Prompt recognition of the distinct signs and symptoms of acute lung injury, often a harbinger of ARDS, can set a targeted treatment plan in motion. Likewise, early recognition of the progressively worsening respiratory function seen in ARDS can alert the team that the patient will need special types of mechanical ventilation to preserve and improve oxygenation.

Goal and Learning Outcomes:
The goal of this acute respiratory distress syndrome continuing education program is to increase nurses’ and respiratory therapists’ understanding of ARDS, including the risk factors, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment.
After you study the information presented here, you will be able to:
• Discuss the pathophysiology of ARDS
• Identify treatment goals for ARDS
• Discuss the role of the healthcare provider in identifying and managing patients with ARDS