Ventilator vs Respirator?

I've heard the terms used interchangeably. I think respirator is a little dated. Almost exclusively, I hear the term ventilator now.

Respirator is no longer used since a machine cannot perform the act of respiration (look up the definition on wickpedia or another site), that is why a ventilator, which does just that and only that is now called a ventilator and not a respirator.

Sweetooth

you must 'ventilate' b/f respirations therefore the better terminology is ventilation. They are used interchangeably but again the ventilator has settings and one is the 'respiratory rate'.

Good luck

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There's your problem right there! LOL!
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A respirator is a mask with a filter worn to protect ones lungs from fine particulate matter in the air.
A mechanical ventilator is a machine that either breaths for the Pt. or helps them breath on thier own. the term 'ventilation' refers to bulk movement of air measured ONLY by CO2. 'Respiration' usually refers to the actual gas exchange that occers deep in the lungs. (Typicaly O2)
The two twerms are indeed used interchangebly, albeit incorrectly.