Which description accurately reflects BiPAP therapy?

• A. BiPAP provides pressure support during both inspiration and expiration
• B. BiPAP delivers only a fixed inspiratory pressure
• C. BiPAP is for invasive ventilation only
• D. BiPAP causes no patient-ventilator interaction

Answer: (A)

BiPAP delivers two pressure levels to support breathing: a higher inspiratory pressure (IPAP) during inhalation and a lower expiratory pressure (EPAP) during exhalation. This creates pressure support on inspiration, making it easier to draw air in, while keeping the airway open during expiration to prevent collapse and improve gas exchange. Breaths are typically patient-initiated, with the ventilator boosting pressure on inspiration and returning to EPAP on expiration, so there is ongoing interaction between the patient and the device. It’s not limited to fixed inspiratory pressure, and BiPAP is commonly used noninvasively rather than only invasively. It also does involve patient-ventilator interaction, contrary to the idea that it would have none.