The invention is directed to a system and method for providing an ARDS indication of a patient comprising a sampling device for obtaining a gas sample of the exhaled breath of a patient a measuring unit for measuring a content of n octane in the exhaled breath of a patient a controller which is able to distinguish if the patient has or may develop ARDS based on the content of n octanein the exhaled breath of a patient resulting in a ARDS indication of the patient and provided with a protocol for providing output regarding the ARDS indication of the patient and a user interface for indicating the ARDS indication to a user.
