You are transporting a 48-year-old male patient between medical facilities…
During the history, you learn that the patient was involved in a fall at work and suffered a hip fracture and a head injury. The patient is now presenting with labored breathing at 30/min that has progressively worsened over the last 24 hours, a heart rate of 104, and a blood pressure of 98/70. On auscultation, you hear diffuse rales. The patient denies any complaints of pain other than those related to his recent fall.
What is the most likely cause of the patient’s respiratory distress?
A . Cardiogenic shock
B . Congestive heart failure
C . Acute bronchitis
D . Adult respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: D
Explanation:
Adult respiratory distress syndrome involves non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema that presents 1272 hours post injury or surgery. Congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock, while they may occur from the ARDS, have an initial cardiac compromise. Flash pulmonary edema has a rapid onset and deterioration over as little as 30 minutes and is associated with renal dysfunction.