What is an essential feature of the volume-assured pressure support (VAPS) mode?

What is an essential feature of the volume-assured pressure support (VAPS) mode?

• A. It does not allow patient-triggered breaths
• B. It guarantees minimum volume delivery per breath
• C. It operates solely based on set pressure
• D. It is manual and not adjustable

Answer: (B)

In volume-assured pressure support (VAPS) mode, the primary function is to ensure that a minimum volume of air is delivered to the patient with each breath. This feature is essential for patients who may have variable respiratory effort, as it helps to maintain adequate ventilation and prevent hypoventilation. In VAPS, when the patient initiates a breath, the ventilator provides pressure support to enhance the breath; however, if the delivered breath does not meet the predetermined volume threshold, the ventilator will adjust the pressure to ensure that the minimum volume is achieved. This mechanism effectively combines support based on both the pressure the patient can generate and a guaranteed minimum volume. By ensuring that a set volume is delivered, VAPS can cater to both spontaneous breathing as well as mechanical support, making it beneficial for patients with varying levels of respiratory drive. This contrasts with modes that may operate strictly on pressure alone without guaranteeing a specific volume, potentially leading to inadequate ventilation.

In volume-assured pressure support (VAPS) mode, the primary function is to ensure that a minimum volume of air is delivered to the patient with each breath. This feature is essential for patients who may have variable respiratory effort, as it helps to maintain adequate ventilation and prevent hypoventilation.

In VAPS, when the patient initiates a breath, the ventilator provides pressure support to enhance the breath; however, if the delivered breath does not meet the predetermined volume threshold, the ventilator will adjust the pressure to ensure that the minimum volume is achieved. This mechanism effectively combines support based on both the pressure the patient can generate and a guaranteed minimum volume.

By ensuring that a set volume is delivered, VAPS can cater to both spontaneous breathing as well as mechanical support, making it beneficial for patients with varying levels of respiratory drive. This contrasts with modes that may operate strictly on pressure alone without guaranteeing a specific volume, potentially leading to inadequate ventilation.