What is a tracheostomy? A tracheostomy is a small tube which is placed in the trachea, under sterile conditions. It has an inner cannula which is removed at the time of insertion. In most cases, it is inserted after a patient has been intubated. IDENTIFYING ARDS This rather complex condition, may be triggered by a number of conditions. Causes include, but are not confined to: - pneumonia, near drowning - massive blood transfusions - pancreatitis, trauma, sepsis In Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome ( ARDS), the lung tissue becomes very stiff and oxygenation is difficult. The air sacs ( alveoli) typically, fill with fluid and white patches are seen on X-Ray. The term "white out" is sometimes used to describe the damaged lungs. Mehanical ventilation becomes necessary to assist with the workload of breathing. breath sounds are decreased as ventilation of lung tissue becomes difficult. Learn more about: The patient on mechanical ventilation Clinical scenario: Ali was admitt
