CPAP stands for which of the following?

• A. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
• B. Continuous Prolonged Air Pressure
• C. Constant Pressure Airflow
• D. Cardiac Positive Air Pressure

Answer: (A)

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It means delivering a steady, positive pressure to the airway throughout the entire breathing cycle to keep the airway open and improve gas exchange. Continuous indicates the pressure is maintained during both inhalation and exhalation; Positive means the pressure is above surrounding atmospheric pressure; Airway refers to the airway path being supported; Pressure is the force applied. In practice, CPAP helps patients in respiratory distress by reducing the work of breathing and improving oxygenation, often used in cases like pulmonary edema or congestive heart failure, provided the patient can cooperate and protect their airway. The other options don’t fit because they misstate parts of the acronym—prolonged or constant aren’t the terms used, and cardiac refers to the heart rather than the airway pressure.