A patient develops increasing dyspnea and hypoxemia 2 days after heart surgery.To determine whether the patient has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)or pulmonary edema caused by heart failure,the nurse will plan to assist with

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pulmonary artery wedge pressures are normal in the patient with ARDS because the fluid in the alveoli is caused by increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane rather than by the backup of fluid from the lungs (as occurs in cardiogenic pulmonary edema).The other tests will not help in differentiating cardiogenic from noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.

A Patient Develops Increasing Dyspnea and Hypoxemia 2 Days After