What nursing intervention promotes adequate chest expansion in patients with ARDS?

Maintaining the head of the bed at 30 degrees is an effective nursing intervention that promotes adequate chest expansion, particularly in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). This position helps optimize lung mechanics and enhances diaphragmatic function by reducing abdominal pressure on the diaphragm, which can occur when a patient is lying supine or flat. Additionally, elevating the head of the bed can improve oxygenation and ventilation by facilitating better thoracic expansion and reducing the work of breathing.

In patients with ARDS, who often experience distress and compromised lung function, proper positioning is critical. Elevating the head supports the natural curvature of the spine and allows for more effective use of gravity to assist in lung expansion. This positioning can help liquefy secretions, improve airway clearance, and reduce the risk of complications associated with prolonged immobility.

In contrast, positioning the patient supine or keeping the head of the bed flat can lead to impaired lung expansion and increased pressure on the lungs, potentially worsening the respiratory distress associated with ARDS. Maximizing rest periods, while important for overall recovery, does not directly contribute to chest expansion and ventilation improvement in the same way that maintaining the head of the bed at an appropriate angle does.