Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

When using CPAP on a patient, what is a recommended initial action?

1. Immediately secure the mask tightly on the patient

2. Allow the patient to hold the mask to their face

3. Reduce the pressure to a lower level

4. Use an oxygen tank instead of a CPAP machine

The correct answer is: Allow the patient to hold the mask to their face

When using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) on a patient, allowing the patient to hold the mask to their face is a recommended initial action. This approach serves multiple purposes. First, it ensures that the patient can become accustomed to the feel of the mask and the pressure from the CPAP. Some patients may feel anxious or uncomfortable at first with the mask applied securely, and letting them hold it can help alleviate some of that anxiety. Additionally, having the patient hold the mask provides an opportunity for them to adjust the positioning for their comfort while still receiving the necessary oxygen therapy. Once the patient feels less encumbered and more at ease, the provider can then move on to securing the mask properly. This initial action contrasts with other options that are less patient-centered or practical in an initial approach. For example, immediately securing the mask tightly without first allowing the patient to adapt may overwhelm them, and adjusting the pressure to a lower level could compromise the effectiveness of CPAP in treating respiratory distress. Lastly, substituting an oxygen tank for a CPAP machine misses the essential therapeutic purpose of CPAP, which is to maintain positive airway pressure and support patients in respiratory failure or distress more effectively than supplemental oxygen alone.