What are the signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that a flight paramedic should identify?

The correct answer highlights three critical signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that a flight paramedic should identify: decreased compliance, bilateral infiltrates on imaging, and severe hypoxemia.

Decreased compliance refers to the lungs' reduced ability to expand, which is a hallmark of ARDS due to the stiffening of lung tissue. This reduced compliance makes it more difficult for the patient to breathe, as the lungs cannot fill with air effectively.

Bilateral infiltrates on imaging, often seen on a chest X-ray or CT scan, indicate fluid accumulation in the alveoli. This finding is crucial in diagnosing ARDS, as it suggests the presence of pulmonary edema that typically characterizes the condition.

Severe hypoxemia, meaning very low levels of oxygen in the blood, is a direct result of compromised gas exchange in the lungs due to the aforementioned issues. Patients with ARDS commonly present with significant low oxygen saturation levels, necessitating immediate intervention.

The combination of these three signs provides a clear clinical picture of ARDS, enabling appropriate management and treatment strategies to be implemented.