Final answer:
Severe trauma is an example of an indirect lung injury that can increase the risk for developing ARDS, different from direct lung injuries such as aspiration or near drowning.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of an indirect lung injury that increases the risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is severe trauma. ARDS can develop after both direct injuries to the lungs, such as pneumonia and aspiration, and indirect injuries like severe trauma. While conditions like near drowning and aspiration involve direct injury by introducing irritants or fluids into the lungs, severe trauma causes injury through systemic inflammatory responses that affect the lungs indirectly.
In the context of disorders of the respiratory system, ARDS represents a more acute and severe form of respiratory distress compared to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), which primarily occurs in prematurely born infants due to inadequate levels of pulmonary surfactant. ARDS in adults can lead to dramatically lowered oxygen levels in the blood, increased carbon dioxide levels, and potential long-term damage.