What is the main characteristic of continuous mandatory ventilation (CMV)?

What is the main characteristic of continuous mandatory ventilation (CMV)?

• A. Patients breathe spontaneously only
• B. Ventilator delivers a set number of breaths regardless of patient effort
• C. Provides only spontaneous breaths
• D. Requires extensive patient effort

Answer: (B)

Continuous mandatory ventilation (CMV) is defined by the way it integrates mechanical assistance with the patient's own respiratory efforts. The main characteristic is that the ventilator delivers a predetermined number of breaths per minute, regardless of the patient's ability or desire to breathe spontaneously. This means that even if the patient does not initiate a breath, the ventilator will still provide the set number of mandatory breaths to ensure adequate ventilation, making it particularly useful in situations where the patient's respiratory drive is diminished or absent. In CMV, if the patient does attempt to breathe on their own, those spontaneous breaths are typically apt to occur in conjunction with the mandatory breaths. The ventilation provided is consistent and ensures that the necessary tidal volume is achieved. This mode is commonly utilized in critically ill patients or those undergoing sedation, where controlled and reliable ventilation support is essential. Other options either suggest an exclusive reliance on spontaneous breathing, which is not characteristic of CMV, or imply a need for a high level of patient effort, which contradicts the fundamental purpose of using CMV to ensure ventilation support for those who may struggle to breathe adequately on their own.

Continuous mandatory ventilation (CMV) is defined by the way it integrates mechanical assistance with the patient's own respiratory efforts. The main characteristic is that the ventilator delivers a predetermined number of breaths per minute, regardless of the patient's ability or desire to breathe spontaneously. This means that even if the patient does not initiate a breath, the ventilator will still provide the set number of mandatory breaths to ensure adequate ventilation, making it particularly useful in situations where the patient's respiratory drive is diminished or absent.

In CMV, if the patient does attempt to breathe on their own, those spontaneous breaths are typically apt to occur in conjunction with the mandatory breaths. The ventilation provided is consistent and ensures that the necessary tidal volume is achieved. This mode is commonly utilized in critically ill patients or those undergoing sedation, where controlled and reliable ventilation support is essential.

Other options either suggest an exclusive reliance on spontaneous breathing, which is not characteristic of CMV, or imply a need for a high level of patient effort, which contradicts the fundamental purpose of using CMV to ensure ventilation support for those who may struggle to breathe adequately on their own.