Challenging diagnosis: adult respiratory distress syndrome.

ARDS patients require nursing care on all levels. Basic care such as turning and prevention of fatigue, as well as nursing care necessitated by mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic monitoring, is needed. Because nurses are the only professionals at the bedside around the clock, we are in the unique position to make a difference for ARDS patients. There is no cure yet for ARDS; therefore, appropriate supportive nursing care is of paramount importance.