Objective To explore the application value of targeted nursing interventions under the intensive care goal strategy for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome combined with pulmonary infection. Methods Ninety-two patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome combined with pulmonary infection admitted to a hospital in Henan Province from June 2018 to December 2020 were selected and divided into a study group and a control group using the random number table method

with 46 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received conventional care and patients in the study group were given targeted nursing under the intensive care goal strategy. The scores of the self-rating depression scale（SDS） and self-rating anxiety scale（SAS）

respiratory function [positive end-expiratory pressure（PEEP）

arterial oxygen saturation（Sa O2）

oxygenation index（Pa O2/Fi O2）] and organ function（Murray and Marshall scores） were compared before and after the nursing intervention between the two groups. Results After nursing intervention

the SAS and SDS scores of patients in both groups were lower than before the intervention

and they were lower in the study group than in the control group

and the differences were statistically significant（P<0.05）. The PEEP level of patients in both groups was lower than before the intervention and lower in the study group than in the control group

and the Sa O2 and Pa O2/Fi O2 levels were higher than before the intervention and higher in the study group than in the control group

all with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. The Murray and Marshall scores were lower in both groups than before the intervention

and those in the study group were lower than those in the control group

with statistically significant differences（P <0.05）. Conclusion Targeted nursing under the intensive care goal strategy for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome combined with pulmonary infection can effectively improve respiratory and organ functions and reduce patients’ negative emotions.