Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for ARDS?

• A. Aspiration
• B. Sepsis
• C. Trauma
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (D)

ARDS results from an injury that triggers a widespread inflammatory response and damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane. Certain events commonly precede this injury because they provoke that inflammatory cascade. Aspiration introduces irritants into the lungs and can directly injure the airways and alveoli, sepsis drives a systemic inflammatory response with increased capillary permeability, and trauma—especially chest trauma or major systemic injury—can initiate lung injury or trigger inflammatory pathways that lead to ARDS. Hypertension, while important to manage in critically ill patients, does not by itself initiate the inflammatory lung injury characteristic of ARDS, so it is not considered a risk factor.