Final answer:
ARDS is characterized by rapid lung inflammation and specific diagnostic criteria, detectable within a week of the inciting event. Spirometry can indicate ARDS by showing reduced volumes of air intake and expulsion. Symptoms initially present as shortness of breath and can quickly escalate to severe respiratory distress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung condition characterized by rapid onset of widespread inflammation in the lungs. ARDS is identified by the presence of certain diagnostic criteria, such as hypoxemia and bilateral radiographic opacities, which cannot be fully explained by cardiac failure or fluid overload. These criteria must be present within one week of a known clinical insult or new or worsening respiratory symptoms.
Spirometry can be used to detect restrictive lung diseases by measuring how much air can be inhaled and exhaled from the lungs, and how quickly. Restrictive lung diseases, such as ARDS, are characterized by reduced lung volumes, which means both the rate of air expulsion (forced expiratory volume) and air intake (total lung capacity) can be affected. Therefore, spirometry might show a reduced ability to expel air quickly during a restrictive disease process.
Finally, the onset of ARDS is typically within one week after an inciting event, which may include several triggers such as pneumonia, sepsis, trauma, or inhalation injuries. Symptoms often start with shortness of breath, tachypnea, and can rapidly advance to severe respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation.