What does 'volume control' ventilation ensure?

Volume control ventilation is a mode of mechanical ventilation where the ventilator is set to deliver a specific, predetermined tidal volume with each breath. This approach ensures that the patient receives a consistent and fixed volume of air, which is essential for maintaining adequate ventilation and preventing hypoventilation or hyperventilation.

By guaranteeing the delivered tidal volume, this mode is particularly beneficial for patients with certain respiratory conditions, where maintaining specific lung volumes is crucial. For instance, in cases of restrictive lung disease or when lung compliance is a concern, having a set tidal volume helps in achieving a targeted minute ventilation while also minimizing the risk of barotrauma associated with excessive pressures.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of mechanical ventilation. While delivery of a preset oxygen concentration and maintenance of respiratory rate are important components of managing patient care on a ventilator, they do not specifically pertain to the mechanics of volume control ventilation. Adjustment of air pressure relates to pressure control ventilation modes and is not the primary mechanism at play in volume control. Thus, the correct answer regarding the main function of volume control ventilation is the delivery of a predetermined tidal volume.