A client has severe adult (acute) respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and has not responded to several different treatments. An independent nursing action that might help the client would be to

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Prone positioning improves oxygenation by changing the distribution of perfusion in the lungs. ARDS is thought to damage the most dependent parts of the lung, so by positioning the client prone, there is a change in the dependent portions and increased perfusion to the less damaged part. Positioning is an independent nursing function. Administering medications is a dependent nursing function. Hand-washing is always an important intervention, but will not improve oxygenation in a client with ARDS.

A Client Has Severe Adult (Acute) Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)