ACCS Respiratory Practice Exam

Mask leaks are the most common drawback of noninvasive ventilation. The seal between the mask and the facial contours is hard to maintain in everyone, so air escapes during both inhalation and exhalation. This leakage means the ventilator may deliver less than the intended pressure or tidal volume, reducing the effectiveness of ventilation. It can cause patient-ventilator asynchrony, where the patient’s own breathing pattern doesn’t match the machine’s support, leading to discomfort and the need for frequent mask readjustments. Leaks also irritate the skin, eyes, or mucosa, and can set off alarms or require more clinician attention, which can hinder tolerance and continuation of therapy. Proper mask fitting, skin protection, and humidification help mitigate leaks, but they remain the most frequent disadvantage of this therapy. By contrast, preserving speech, shortening ICU stays, and reducing pharmacologic needs are generally considered benefits of SAMPLEnoninvasive ventilation rather than disadvantages.