Which of the following is a common symptom of ARDS?

Retractions are a common symptom of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) due to the increased effort required to breathe. In ARDS, the lungs are inflamed and filled with fluid, which leads to reduced lung compliance and impaired gas exchange. As a result, patients may exhibit retractions, which are visible signs of intercostal and supraclavicular muscles pulling in during inhalation. This indicates that the respiratory muscles are struggling to expand the chest and draw air into the lungs.

Other symptoms may include tachypnea, hypoxemia, and the use of accessory muscles for breathing. While chest pain, prolonged coughing, and fever can be associated with various respiratory conditions, they are not the hallmark signs that specifically indicate ARDS. Retractions directly reflect the patient’s struggle for oxygen, making them a key symptom in this critical condition.