CPAP stands for:

• A. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
• B. Controlled Positive Air Pressure
• C. Constant Pulmonary Air Pressure
• D. Continuous Pressure Airway Protocol

Answer: (A)

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. The idea is to deliver a steady, positive pressure in the airways throughout the entire breath cycle. “Continuous” means the pressure stays constant during both inhalation and exhalation; “Positive” means the pressure is above ambient atmospheric pressure, which helps keep airways and alveoli open. “Airway” refers to the patient’s airway, and “Pressure” is the force applied to keep it open. This noninvasive support improves oxygenation and reduces the work of breathing in patients who are breathing on their own but struggling, such as those with pulmonary edema or COPD. It differs from other phrases like “controlled” or “constant pulmonary air pressure” because those don’t accurately describe the continuous, elevated, airway-specific pressure that CPAP provides. CPAP is not a tidal-volume-delivery mode like some ventilators; it maintains a fixed pressure to keep the airway open rather than delivering a controlled breath.