In mechanical ventilation, the term 'lung protective ventilation' primarily refers to:

The concept of 'lung protective ventilation' is integral to managing patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and other forms of lung injury. It primarily focuses on strategies to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury, thereby preserving lung function and improving patient outcomes.

Minimizing ventilator-induced lung injury is achieved through the use of lower tidal volumes, typically around 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight, combined with appropriate plateau pressures to prevent barotrauma and volutrauma. This approach helps to maintain adequate gas exchange while protecting the delicate lung tissue from damage caused by excessive pressure and volume during mechanical ventilation.

The other concepts mentioned, such as high tidal volume delivery and maximum oxygen supplementation, can actually contribute to lung injury rather than protect the lungs. The use of positive end-expiratory pressure is beneficial in maintaining airway patency and improving oxygenation but is a secondary component of lung protective strategies rather than the central focus. Therefore, the correct understanding of lung protective ventilation is that it primarily aims at reducing the risk of injury from mechanical ventilation to enhance patient outcomes.