Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

The abbreviation IPPV stands for intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. This technique involves the delivery of positive pressure breaths to a patient at predetermined intervals, distinguishing it from continuous ventilation methods. Intermittent positive-pressure ventilation is often utilized in clinical settings to support patients who may not be able to breathe adequately on their own, allowing for both spontaneous breathing and mechanical assistance.

In this context, practitioners choose intermittent positive-pressure ventilation to help maintain adequate gas exchange and alveolar recruitment while also permitting the patient to take spontaneous breaths between the mechanically delivered breaths. This approach can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient, making it a versatile option in anesthesia and critical care settings.