In ARDS, which intervention is typically required to maintain breathing?

In ARDS, which intervention is typically required to maintain breathing?

• A. Intubation and mechanical ventilation
• B. Nasal oxygen via cannula only
• C. Immediate surgery
• D. No intervention needed

Answer: (A)

In ARDS, gas exchange is severely impaired because the lungs become stiff and flooded, so maintaining adequate breathing usually requires assisted ventilation with an artificial airway. Intubation and mechanical ventilation provide controlled support for both oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal, allowing lung-protective strategies like low tidal volumes and appropriate PEEP to keep alveoli open and reduce further lung injury. Noninvasive oxygen (like a nasal cannula) is often insufficient in typical/moderate to severe ARDS, and surgery isn’t a treatment for this condition, while doing nothing would leave the patient unable to maintain adequate ventilation.

In ARDS, gas exchange is severely impaired because the lungs become stiff and flooded, so maintaining adequate breathing usually requires assisted ventilation with an artificial airway. Intubation and mechanical ventilation provide controlled support for both oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal, allowing lung-protective strategies like low tidal volumes and appropriate PEEP to keep alveoli open and reduce further lung injury. Noninvasive oxygen (like a nasal cannula) is often insufficient in typical/moderate to severe ARDS, and surgery isn’t a treatment for this condition, while doing nothing would leave the patient unable to maintain adequate ventilation.