Respiratory distress syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by intractable hypoxemia caused by multiple intrapulmonary or extrapulmonary causes. The etiology is relatively diverse, with intrapulmonary causes including pneumonia, pulmonary contusions, and inhalation of toxic substances. Extrapulmonary factors include severe systemic infections, severe multiple injuries, including multiple fractures, traumatic brain injury and burns, shock, high-risk surgery, massive blood transfusions, pancreatitis, and post-cardiopulmonary diversion. Patients often have an acute onset, presenting with shortness of breath, purple and cyanotic lips and extremities, which cannot be relieved by conventional oxygenation, along with chest tightness, coughing and coughing up blood. In critical cases, consciousness impairment or even death may occur. After the diagnosis is clear, relevant treatment is actively given, including mechanical ventilation and nutritional support such as oxygen inhalation, and related symptomatic treatment.