Final answer:
Non-cardiogenic ARDS can be caused by pneumonia, trauma, or sepsis, among other factors, which lead to alveolar damage and impaired oxygen exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The causes of non-cardiogenic Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) can include pneumonia, trauma, sepsis, inhalation of harmful substances, near-drowning, and blood transfusions. These causative factors can lead to inflammation and damage to the alveoli, resulting in leakage of fluid into the alveoli and a reduced ability for oxygen exchange. In contrast, myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism are typically associated with cardiogenic shock and not non-cardiogenic ARDS. Pneumonia is described as an infection that causes inflammation in the alveoli of the lungs, which get filled with fluid, impairing gas exchange. Similarly, sepsis or systemic inflammation response syndrome (SIRS) can also lead to ARDS via inflammatory mediators affecting lung permeability.