Which of the following is considered a primary complication of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome?

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe inflammatory response in the lungs that leads to significant impairment of gas exchange and respiratory function. Among the complications that arise due to ARDS, respiratory failure is considered a primary complication because it directly reflects the primary issue at hand: the inability of the lungs to effectively oxygenate the blood and remove carbon dioxide.

In ARDS, the alveolar-capillary membrane becomes damaged, causing increased permeability. This results in fluid accumulation in the alveoli, impairing oxygen uptake and often leading to a critical state where mechanical ventilation is required. Therefore, the progression to respiratory failure is a central concern when dealing with ARDS, making it a primary complication in this context.

While pneumothorax, atelectasis, and hypercapnia can occur due to various factors related to ARDS or its treatment, they are not as directly indicative of the syndrome itself as respiratory failure is. Pneumothorax can arise from mechanical ventilation or injury, atelectasis may result from the buildup of fluids or collapse of lung segments, and hypercapnia is often a consequence of respiratory failure rather than a primary complication in the context of ARDS. Thus, respiratory failure is recognized as the most critical and