Which mode of ventilation allows for the patient's spontaneous breaths in addition to ventilator support?

• A. Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV)
• B. Assist-Control (A/C) mode
• C. Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV)
• D. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Answer: (B)

The mode of ventilation that allows for spontaneous breaths in addition to ventilator support is Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV). This mode is designed to support patients who are able to breathe on their own while also providing mandatory breaths at a set rate.

In SIMV, the ventilator delivers a specified number of breaths at preset tidal volumes or pressures, but it also allows the patient to breathe spontaneously in between those mandatory breaths. This dual function encourages the patient's own respiratory effort, making it a useful mode for weaning patients off mechanical ventilation.

While Assist-Control (A/C) mode does allow for spontaneous breaths, it triggers the ventilator to deliver a full breath every time the patient initiates a breath, which can lead to higher ventilatory rates and may not encourage weaning as effectively as SIMV. Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) provides support only for patient-initiated breaths and does not include mandatory breaths. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) offers no additional support during a patient’s breathing efforts; it maintains a continuous pressure in the airway throughout the respiratory cycle but does not provide ventilator breaths.

Thus, SIMV effectively supports both the patient’s spontaneous breathing efforts and provides necessary ventilator assistance,