[adidasgirl0699]

I'm doing our high acuity clinicals this quarter and I'm having a problem w/ the mechanical vent modes. I cannot figure out the difference between CPAP and PEEP. I've searched it on some websites and on here but... I'm getting contradictory information. Some sites say there's no difference but that CPAP is a more accurate term. Other sites say that CPAP is used in patients who able to spontaneously breathe and PEEP is used for patients on mechanical vents. And yet someone else I asked (resp therapist) said CPAP was used continously (insp and exp) and that PEEP is used during exhalation only. So confused...

According to my instructor, there IS a difference... And I don't understand her when she's trying to answer my question. She doesn't explain the difference. Please help. My exam is Monday...
Thanks

[NRSKarenRN]

CPAP = Continuous Possitive Airway Pressure
act on both inspiratory and expiratory efforts to keep the airway open
Pt may be intubated or using mask/headgear device.

PEEP = Possitve End Expiratory Pressure
Always Intubated patient needing to have possitive pressure maintained during expiration to keep bronchioles and aveoli inflated

fireEMS - Take a PEEP at CPAP

PEEP & CPAP: is there a difference?

Don't miss our colleague Mark;s www.icufaqs.org website.
Has great info for those new to ICU including Vents and ABGs updated 2/5/04!