Acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe, often fatal, lung condition frequently seen in patients in the ICU. ARDS is triggered by an inciting event such as pneumonia or sepsis, which is followed by an inappropriate host inflammatory response that results in pulmonary edema and impaired gas exchange, and may progress to fibrosis. With the increased spotlight and discussion focused on ARDS during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers must be able to identify and manage symptoms based on evidence-based research.