What is the primary benefit of using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)?

The primary benefit of using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is to maintain gas pressure in the lungs. CPAP works by delivering a constant flow of air into the airway, which helps keep the alveoli open and prevents their collapse during expiration. This is particularly crucial in neonates, especially those at risk for respiratory distress syndrome or those who have difficulty with alveolar recruitment.

By maintaining adequate lung volume and ensuring that the airway remains open, CPAP facilitates effective gas exchange, increases lung compliance, and improves oxygenation. This is why it is considered an essential intervention for managing respiratory issues in newborns before escalating to more invasive procedures, such as intubation.

The other options, while related to neonatal care, do not encapsulate the primary advantage of CPAP. For instance, while CPAP can indirectly stimulate breathing by ensuring the lungs remain inflated, its main role is not to stimulate but to assist with maintaining lung function. Similarly, it does reduce the likelihood of needing intubation by improving oxygenation and ventilation, but this is a secondary benefit compared to its primary function of maintaining intrapulmonary pressure. Providing intravenous fluids is not a function of CPAP; rather, that involves separate medical interventions for hydration and nutrition in neon