Which of the following characterizes Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB)?

Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB) is characterized by a method where positive pressure is applied to the airways during inhalation, which assists patients in achieving adequate lung expansion and ventilation. This mode is primarily aimed at enhancing airflow and improving ventilation in patients who may have respiratory difficulties, allowing them to take deeper breaths and improve oxygenation.

The technique is designed to deliver positive pressure during only the inhalation phase, allowing for passive exhalation to occur without the application of positive pressure. This method enables the lungs to fill efficiently while utilizing the mechanical advantage of intermittent positive pressure. Therefore, the unique feature of IPPB is that it assists with inhalation through supplied positive pressure, while exhalation happens without additional pressure, thereby confirming the accuracy of this choice.

In contrast, continuous ventilation refers to a different method where pressure is maintained throughout both inhalation and exhalation. Positive pressure during exhalation is not a characteristic of IPPB, as it is primarily focused on facilitating the inhalation phase. The requirement for constant monitoring of arterial blood gases is generally more relevant to patients in critical care or on certain ventilators rather than a defining feature of the IPPB technique itself.