What is a common cause of ARDS?

The correct answer is pneumonia, as it is a leading cause of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is characterized by severe inflammation in the lungs, leading to increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane. Pneumonia, particularly bacterial pneumonia, can trigger this inflammatory response, causing fluid to accumulate in the alveoli and impairing gas exchange. This condition often arises due to infections that reach the lungs, resulting in significant lung injury and the subsequent development of ARDS.

Chronic bronchitis and asthma primarily involve chronic inflammatory processes and airway obstruction but do not typically lead to the rapid onset of ARDS as pneumonia does. Fatigue is not directly associated with the development of ARDS; rather, it is a nonspecific symptom that can occur in many medical conditions but lacks the direct pathophysiological mechanism relevant to ARDS.