Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common symptom associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome?

1. Decreased heart rate

2. Fever

3. Hypotension

4. Severe dyspnea

The correct answer is: Severe dyspnea

Severe dyspnea is a hallmark symptom of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In ARDS, the inflammation of the lung tissue and the accumulation of fluid in the alveoli severely impair gas exchange, leading to marked difficulty in breathing. This condition often causes the patient to experience an urgent sense of breathlessness, which can be profound and disabling. The presence of severe dyspnea is typically evident and can develop rapidly, reflecting the serious nature of this syndrome. Other symptoms might be present alongside severe dyspnea, but they do not capture the essence of ARDS as effectively. For example, decreased heart rate is not typically associated with ARDS; rather, a fast heart rate is more common due to hypoxia and stress. Fever can occur in cases of infection that may lead to ARDS, but it is not a direct symptom of the syndrome itself. Hypotension can arise in severe cases or in conjunction with other medical conditions but is not characteristic of ARDS, which is primarily defined by respiratory distress. Thus, severe dyspnea is the most representative symptom of the condition.