Why is PEEP utilized during mechanical ventilation?

PEEP, or Positive End-Expiratory Pressure, is a crucial mode of mechanical ventilation utilized primarily to prevent alveolar collapse and enhance oxygenation. When PEEP is applied, it maintains a certain level of pressure in the airways at the end of expiration, thereby keeping the alveoli open. This is particularly important in conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or pneumonia, where alveolar collapse can occur, leading to decreased surface area for gas exchange and subsequent hypoxemia.

By preventing the collapse of these small air sacs, PEEP improves functional residual capacity (FRC) and increases the surface area available for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. This strategy not only helps in delivering more oxygen to the bloodstream but also aids in maintaining adequate ventilation by redistributing blood flow towards better-ventilated areas of the lungs.

The other options, while related to mechanical ventilation, do not accurately capture the primary purpose of PEEP. Increasing ventilation rates and maximizing tidal volumes focus more on volume and frequency rather than maintaining lung architecture. Additionally, reducing inspiratory pressure is not a direct objective of PEEP; rather, PEEP can sometimes slightly increase the pressure required to deliver a breath depending on the settings used. Therefore, the use of P