Which of the following is the likely cause of nonhydrostatic pulmonary edema?

a. Injury to the vascular endothelium and/or alveolar epithelium
b. Abnormalities in intravascular hydrostatic pressures
c. An influx of polymorphonuclear neutro-phils
d. Medication overdose

ANS: A
Nonhydrostatic pulmonary edema, also called noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, results from injury to the vascular endothelium and/or alveolar epithelium. This injury creates a loss of integ-rity in the barrier between the vascular and alveolar spaces.