Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is indicated for which patient groups?

• A. Apneic trauma patients
• B. Conscious patients with good oxygenation
• C. Sleep apnea, COPD, or pulmonary edema
• D. Hypotension with tachycardia

Answer: (C)

CPAP delivers a steady positive pressure to the airways, keeping alveoli open and making breathing more efficient without an endotracheal tube. It works best in awake, cooperative patients who can protect their airway and who have conditions causing airway collapse or fluid in the lungs. Sleep apnea, COPD exacerbations, and pulmonary edema fit this scenario because CPAP helps keep the airway open (sleep apnea), reduces the work of breathing and improves ventilation (COPD), and decreases alveolar fluid/edema while improving oxygenation (pulmonary edema). It isn’t used in apneic trauma patients who aren’t breathing or in patients who are hypotensive with tachycardia, since the positive pressure can worsen breathing control or hemodynamics.