What happens during pressure control ventilation?

What happens during pressure control ventilation?

• A. The machine delivers a set volume with each breath
• B. The patient initiates every breath
• C. A set pressure is maintained for a determined time
• D. The duration of inspiration is solely determined by the patient

Answer: (C)

During pressure control ventilation, a specific pressure is targeted and maintained throughout the inspiratory phase of each breath for a designated time. This mode of ventilation ensures that once the set pressure is reached, it is held for the prescribed duration, allowing for controlled ventilation and preventing excessively high airway pressures. This method is beneficial in patients with compromised lung compliance or significant airway resistance, as it helps regulate the pressure delivered without aiming for a specific tidal volume. While the other options describe different aspects of mechanical ventilation, they do not accurately reflect what occurs during pressure control ventilation. For instance, delivering a set volume per breath relates to volume control ventilation rather than pressure control. The patient initiating every breath describes a mode where the patient has full control over their ventilation, which contrasts with the preset parameters of pressure control. The notion that the duration of inspiration is solely determined by the patient suggests a more patient-directed mode, unlike pressure control ventilation where the timing is predetermined by the ventilator settings to ensure adequate ventilation.

During pressure control ventilation, a specific pressure is targeted and maintained throughout the inspiratory phase of each breath for a designated time. This mode of ventilation ensures that once the set pressure is reached, it is held for the prescribed duration, allowing for controlled ventilation and preventing excessively high airway pressures. This method is beneficial in patients with compromised lung compliance or significant airway resistance, as it helps regulate the pressure delivered without aiming for a specific tidal volume.

While the other options describe different aspects of mechanical ventilation, they do not accurately reflect what occurs during pressure control ventilation. For instance, delivering a set volume per breath relates to volume control ventilation rather than pressure control. The patient initiating every breath describes a mode where the patient has full control over their ventilation, which contrasts with the preset parameters of pressure control. The notion that the duration of inspiration is solely determined by the patient suggests a more patient-directed mode, unlike pressure control ventilation where the timing is predetermined by the ventilator settings to ensure adequate ventilation.