Nursing Management of Respiratory Failure and ARDS

Acute respiratory failure and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) are life-threatening conditions requiring prompt recognition, advanced clinical judgment, and interdisciplinary coordination to prevent irreversible organ damage and mortality. Nursing Management of Respiratory Failure and ARDS offers a detailed, clinically focused exploration of the pathophysiology, classification, and evidence-based management strategies for patients experiencing severe respiratory compromise.

This course is designed to enhance the clinical competence of nurses in both acute and critical care settings, emphasizing early detection, ventilatory support strategies, pharmacologic interventions, and patient-centered monitoring protocols. Real-world case studies and clinical algorithms support the translation of theory into bedside decision-making.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding Respiratory Failure: Definitions, types (hypoxemic and hypercapnic), and key indicators of impending decompensation.
• Pathophysiology of ARDS: Mechanisms of alveolar damage, surfactant dysfunction, inflammatory response, and pulmonary edema.
• Etiologies and Risk Factors: Sepsis, trauma, aspiration, pneumonia, pancreatitis, and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).
• Clinical Presentation and Diagnostics: Interpreting arterial blood gases (ABGs), chest imaging, and pulmonary mechanics.
• Ventilatory Support: Principles of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, modes, settings, and weaning protocols.
• Evidence-Based Interventions: Prone positioning, fluid management strategies, neuromuscular blockade, and sedation protocols.
• Pharmacologic Management: Use of corticosteroids, vasopressors, paralytics, and antimicrobials in ARDS care.
• Nursing Priorities and Monitoring: Respiratory assessment, ventilator troubleshooting, oxygenation goals, and prevention of complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and barotrauma.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Coordination with respiratory therapy, intensivists, and pharmacists to ensure optimal outcomes.
• Ethical and End-of-Life Considerations: Palliative care integration, family communication, and support during prolonged ventilation.

Completion Requirements:

To receive full CE credit, participants must:

• Register for the course.
• Complete all course modules and assigned readings.
• Pass the post-test with a score of 70% or higher.
• Submit course evaluations for each module.

Course materials may include case scenarios, state-specific policy references, and downloadable clinical tools for use in practice.

Important Disclosures:

• Conflict of Interest: Faculty and planners report no relevant financial relationships.
• Commercial Support: This activity received no external commercial funding or sponsorship.
• Non-Endorsement: Accreditation does not imply endorsement of any commercial products or companies.
• Off-Label Product Use: Any mention of off-label drug use is consistent with current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice.