A nurse is assessing a client who has suspected acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The nurse should identify which of the following is the most common presenting manifestation of ARDS?

Choice A rationale

High-protein and high-carbohydrate foods are beneficial, but they do not directly address the immediate respiratory issues in ARDS.

Choice B rationale

Encouraging oral intake of fluids may not be appropriate as it can contribute to fluid overload and worsen pulmonary edema in ARDS patients.

Choice C rationale

Administering low-flow oxygen might be necessary but isn't the most crucial intervention for ARDS. High-flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation is typically required.

Choice D rationale

Placing the client in a prone position has been shown to improve oxygenation in ARDS by enhancing lung expansion and ventilation-perfusion matching.

Choice A rationale

Cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxemia and not the most common initial manifestation of ARDS. It indicates severe oxygen deprivation but doesn’t typically appear first.

Choice B rationale

Diaphoresis, or excessive sweating, can occur with many conditions causing distress, but it’s not specifically the most common presenting symptom of ARDS. It's more of a nonspecific symptom of stress.

Choice C rationale

Somnolence, or drowsiness, might occur in severe respiratory distress when oxygen levels drop significantly, but it’s not the primary or most common presenting manifestation of ARDS.

Choice D rationale

Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is the hallmark of ARDS and the most common presenting symptom. It occurs due to the acute onset of severe hypoxemia caused by the underlying pathophysiology of ARDS.