High-permeability pulmonary edema: nursing assessment, diagnosis, and interventions

High-permeability pulmonary edema (HPPE) is a problem affecting 150,000 to 200,000 critically ill patients yearly. In HPPE the alveolar-capillary membrane is injured. The resulting increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane allows shifts of fluid and protein into the interstitial fluid space and alveolus. As hypoxemia develops, the nurse assesses cardinal signs and symptoms derived from the physical examination and observations. Clinical data consisting of results from various laboratory and diagnostic studies confirm the diagnosis of HPPE. Finally, nursing diagnoses can be delineated as the basis on which expert nursing care is planned and implemented.