What does the term "barotrauma" refer to in the context of mechanical ventilation?

Barotrauma specifically refers to the injury that occurs to the lung tissue due to excessive pressure during mechanical ventilation. When a ventilator delivers air under pressure, it can lead to overdistension of the alveoli if the pressures are too high or if there are increased tidal volumes. This overdistension can result in the rupture of alveoli, causing air to escape into the surrounding pleural space, leading to complications such as pneumothorax.

Understanding barotrauma is crucial for practitioners in mechanical ventilation settings, as it highlights the importance of monitoring ventilation pressures and adjusting settings to prevent such injuries. The other answer choices do not accurately convey the definition of barotrauma, focusing instead on unrelated issues that, while pertinent to ventilation, do not capture the specific injury caused by pressure changes in the lungs.