After fitting a home care patient with a CPAP nasal mask, you set the prescribed pressure and turn on the flow generator. At this point, the mask pressure reading is 0 cm H₂O. What is the most likely cause of this problem?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A reading of 0 cm H2O on the mask pressure indicates that there is no pressure being delivered to the patient. The most likely cause of this is a large system leak, which could be due to a loose connection, a cracked hose, or a faulty mask seal. The other options (patient asynchrony, too high a flow, and a jammed CPAP valve) would all cause the mask pressure to be higher than desired, not lower.

After Fitting a Home Care Patient with a CPAP Nasal